The Lakers find themselves in a crucial position as they head into Game 5.
You might wonder why such urgency?
Currently, they’re 3-1 up against the Rockets in the first round of the playoffs. It seems like they have ample opportunities to seal the series and are, undoubtedly, in a strong position.
But let’s take a step back.
This season has been anything but predictable for the Lakers. Things just haven’t clicked.
At one point, they appeared to be on the fringe, merely a play-in team. Then, miraculously, they turned it around with a stellar 16-2 record this spring.
Out of nowhere, they were considered contenders.
Not quite what we expected.
Just as they seemed to be finding their rhythm, they were hit with injuries, losing Luka Doncic and Austin Reeves in the last stretch of the regular season.
Another surprising twist.
Without their leading scorers, the outlook for the playoffs appeared grim. Reports were almost writing off their chances before they even stepped onto the court for Game 1.
And then, moments before the series kicked off, Kevin Durant—who managed to stay relatively healthy throughout the season—was sidelined with a knee injury. He also missed subsequent games due to a sprained ankle.
More drama unfolded.
To everyone’s astonishment, the Lakers—led by a 41-year-old LeBron James and a cast of supporting players—held a commanding 3-0 series lead against the Rockets. Then they unexpectedly dropped Game 4, ending 115-96.
It was shocking.
Here’s the kicker: No NBA team has ever come back from a 3-0 series deficit. The statistics show a firm 159-0 record for those holding such a lead.
But in this unpredictable season, wouldn’t it just be the perfect twist if the Lakers managed to lose the series?
It sounds ridiculous, yet it could very well happen and would undoubtedly haunt their dreams.
So, the pressure is on to close it out before they face an unexpected downturn again.
In Game 4, the Lakers struggled. The Rockets, despite their 24 turnovers, managed to capitalize, and the Lakers’ shooting from three-point range was dismal at 22.7%.
LeBron, who had been performing at an elite level, had a rare off night, scoring only 10 points with an unusual eight turnovers.
Meanwhile, Marcus Smart’s performance shifted dramatically; from integral to barely noticeable, completing the game with a concerning minus-20 plus-minus rating.
Luke Kennard, who had been a breakout player this postseason, also faltered, ending with just seven points and two assists.
Now, the Rockets sense an opportunity.
The Lakers appear fatigued. Their momentum seems to be dwindling. There are visible weaknesses in their game.
And should the series extend beyond the upcoming match, the stress of every-other-day games would weigh heavily on them.
That’s quite a daunting scenario, especially when considering that James has been carrying the load despite ongoing health concerns. There’s even talk of Reeves possibly returning for Game 5, but, of course, it’s uncertain.
For now, the focus needs to sharpen.
This young Rockets squad shouldn’t be given any reason to believe they can take this series. They have to keep the Rockets from finding their rhythm, and ensure Durant doesn’t make a comeback.
They can’t let that door open for what could be one of the most significant upsets in NBA playoff history.
In a season marked by unexpected twists, the Lakers must treat Game 5 like it’s an elimination game.
Otherwise, they might just set themselves up for the ultimate shock.
