Rockets coach Ime Udoka tells team to 'grow up' after blowing late lead to fall behind Lakers 3-0 in playoffs

The Houston Rockets were astir 25 seconds distant from sealing their archetypal triumph of the NBA playoffs - instead, they'll person to marque an unprecedented comeback.

The Rockets blew their precocious six-point pb to the Los Angeles Lakers aft costly turnovers and present way 3 games to none.

No NBA squad has ever travel backmost from that deficit, and successful bid to bash so, Rockets caput manager Ime Udoka gave his squad a stern message.

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Head manager Ime Udoka of the Houston Rockets speaks with Tari Eason during the archetypal 4th against the Los Angeles Lakers astatine Toyota Center successful Houston connected April 24, 2026. (Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)

"Grow up," helium said was his connection to the squad aft the loss. "You’re not that young anymore. You’ve been to the playoffs once, and we watched each concern conscionable now."

Even with Kevin Durant retired for a 2nd crippled successful this bid — this clip with a sprained ankle aft missing Game 1 with a genu wounded — the Rockets were successful presumption to adjacent retired the crippled aft LeBron James had consecutive turnovers that Houston turned into a 101-95 lead.

It was past that everything went incorrect for the Rockets. Marcus Smart was fouled connected a 3-point effort with 25 seconds to spell successful the 4th aft a Houston turnover and made each 3 escaped throws to get the Lakers wrong three.

Houston Rockets Head Coach Ime Udoka reacts during the 4th fourth against the Los Angeles Lakers successful crippled 3 of the archetypal circular of the 2026 NBA Playoffs astatine Toyota Center successful Houston, Texas, connected Apr. 24, 2026. (Troy Taormina/Imagn Images)

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James past stole the shot from Reed Sheppard, and his 3-pointer tied it astatine 101-all with 13 seconds to spell successful the fourth.

Los Angeles past outscored Houston 11-7 successful the overtime play to instrumentality a 112-108 victory.

The 41-year-old James, who enactment up 29 points, 13 rebounds and six assists, played much than 45 minutes Friday night. He said with apical scorers Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves retired with injuries, helium has nary prime but to bash immoderate helium can.

LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers gestures during the pregame ritual earlier the archetypal 4th against the Houston Rockets astatine Toyota Center successful Houston, Texas, connected April 24, 2026. (Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)

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That sentiment volition person to tally done the Rockets locker country if they privation to marque history.

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