Lakers’ Marcus Smart shares eye-opening take amid rising Rockets threat

For the second straight time, the Los Angeles Lakers failed to close out the Houston Rockets in their first-round series in the playoffs. The Lakers succumbed to the Rockets, 99-93, in Game 5 at Crypto.com Arena on Wednesday.

The Rockets closed the gap, 3-2, in the best-of-seven matchup. Game 6 will return to Toyota Center on Friday.

The Lakers had a chance to win in the endgame, but Reed Sheppard made back-to-back buckets to fend off the Purple and Gold.

Despite the defeat, Marcus Smart remained unfazed, knowing that they still hold the advantage, as reported by The OC Register’s Benjamin Royer.

“We got to play like our backs are against the wall. We knew this was going to be a tough series. Everybody knew that, and it’s turned out to be exactly what we expected. Now the fun begins,” said Smart.

I asked Marcus Smart about what it’s going to take to close the series against a Rockets team with their backs against the wall for every minute remaining:

“We knew this was going to be a tough series, … and it's turned out to be exactly what we expected. Now the fun begins.” pic.twitter.com/oMO4h8aQss

— Benjamin Royer (@thebenroyer) April 30, 2026

Smart had 11 points, five rebounds, two assists, and a game-worst six turnovers.

Their loss spoiled the much-needed return of Austin Reaves from his oblique injury. Reaves tallied 22 points on 4-of-16 shooting in 34 minutes off the bench. He also had four rebounds, six assists, and three turnovers.

The Lakers shot just 42% from the field and had 15 turnovers, which the Rockets converted to 18 points.

Echoing Smart, LeBron James refused to press the panic button.

“Listen, it’s one game. You give credit where credit is due. They (Rockets) played well the last two games, exceptionally well, and we’ve got to answer the call,” said James in a report from the Associated Press.

James had 25 points, three rebounds, seven assists, and two steals.

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