Deadspin | Rockets avoid elimination again, force Game 6 vs. Lakers  Apr 29, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) moves to the basket against Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) during the first half in game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images   Jabari Smith Jr. scored 22 points and Tari Eason added 18 as the Houston Rockets fought off elimination for a second consecutive game and crawled back into their first-round playoff series with a 99-93 road victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday.  Alperen Sengun scored 14 points with nine rebounds and eight assists, while Amen Thompson added 15 points as the Rockets now trail 3-2 in the series after falling into a 3-0 hole. No NBA team has rallied back from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series.  The consecutive Rockets victories have come without star Kevin Durant (ankle), who has only played in Game 2.  Austin Reaves scored 22 points off the bench in his return from an oblique injury and LeBron James added 25 points for the Lakers. Deandre Ayton scored 18 points with 17 rebounds for Los Angeles, which will get a third chance to clinch the series Friday at Houston.  The Lakers continue to be without star Luka Doncic (hamstring), who was injured along with Reaves in an April 2 game at Oklahoma City. Both players missed the last five regular-season games and the first four playoff games.  The Lakers appeared determined to close out the series by taking an 11-point lead with a minute remaining in the first quarter and leading 28-21 after the opening period.  The Rockets stormed back for a 30-19 advantage in the second quarter and led 51-47 at halftime. Houston shot 6 of 12 from 3-point range in the second quarter and forced five turnovers.   The Rockets extended their advantage to 76-67 through three quarters.  Los Angeles used an 11-1 run to pull within 88-85 on a James layup with 2:59 left in the game.  A steal and two baskets from Reed Sheppard pushed the Rockets’ advantage back to 92-85 with 2:20 left and Houston turned four consecutive free throws into a 96-87 advantage with 1:32 remaining.  James and Reaves combined to miss three 3-point attempts over the final 28 seconds with James unable to pull the Lakers within two points when he was off target from long range with 12 seconds left.  After he averaged 25.0 points over the first two games of the series, Lakers sharpshooter Luke Kennard was held to one point on 0-of-4 shooting.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Rockets #avoid #elimination #force #Game #Lakers

Deadspin | Rockets avoid elimination again, force Game 6 vs. Lakers
Deadspin | Rockets avoid elimination again, force Game 6 vs. Lakers  Apr 29, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) moves to the basket against Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) during the first half in game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images   Jabari Smith Jr. scored 22 points and Tari Eason added 18 as the Houston Rockets fought off elimination for a second consecutive game and crawled back into their first-round playoff series with a 99-93 road victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday.  Alperen Sengun scored 14 points with nine rebounds and eight assists, while Amen Thompson added 15 points as the Rockets now trail 3-2 in the series after falling into a 3-0 hole. No NBA team has rallied back from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series.  The consecutive Rockets victories have come without star Kevin Durant (ankle), who has only played in Game 2.  Austin Reaves scored 22 points off the bench in his return from an oblique injury and LeBron James added 25 points for the Lakers. Deandre Ayton scored 18 points with 17 rebounds for Los Angeles, which will get a third chance to clinch the series Friday at Houston.  The Lakers continue to be without star Luka Doncic (hamstring), who was injured along with Reaves in an April 2 game at Oklahoma City. Both players missed the last five regular-season games and the first four playoff games.  The Lakers appeared determined to close out the series by taking an 11-point lead with a minute remaining in the first quarter and leading 28-21 after the opening period.  The Rockets stormed back for a 30-19 advantage in the second quarter and led 51-47 at halftime. Houston shot 6 of 12 from 3-point range in the second quarter and forced five turnovers.   The Rockets extended their advantage to 76-67 through three quarters.  Los Angeles used an 11-1 run to pull within 88-85 on a James layup with 2:59 left in the game.  A steal and two baskets from Reed Sheppard pushed the Rockets’ advantage back to 92-85 with 2:20 left and Houston turned four consecutive free throws into a 96-87 advantage with 1:32 remaining.  James and Reaves combined to miss three 3-point attempts over the final 28 seconds with James unable to pull the Lakers within two points when he was off target from long range with 12 seconds left.  After he averaged 25.0 points over the first two games of the series, Lakers sharpshooter Luke Kennard was held to one point on 0-of-4 shooting.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Rockets #avoid #elimination #force #Game #LakersApr 29, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) moves to the basket against Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) during the first half in game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Jabari Smith Jr. scored 22 points and Tari Eason added 18 as the Houston Rockets fought off elimination for a second consecutive game and crawled back into their first-round playoff series with a 99-93 road victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday.

Alperen Sengun scored 14 points with nine rebounds and eight assists, while Amen Thompson added 15 points as the Rockets now trail 3-2 in the series after falling into a 3-0 hole. No NBA team has rallied back from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series.

The consecutive Rockets victories have come without star Kevin Durant (ankle), who has only played in Game 2.

Austin Reaves scored 22 points off the bench in his return from an oblique injury and LeBron James added 25 points for the Lakers. Deandre Ayton scored 18 points with 17 rebounds for Los Angeles, which will get a third chance to clinch the series Friday at Houston.

The Lakers continue to be without star Luka Doncic (hamstring), who was injured along with Reaves in an April 2 game at Oklahoma City. Both players missed the last five regular-season games and the first four playoff games.

The Lakers appeared determined to close out the series by taking an 11-point lead with a minute remaining in the first quarter and leading 28-21 after the opening period.


The Rockets stormed back for a 30-19 advantage in the second quarter and led 51-47 at halftime. Houston shot 6 of 12 from 3-point range in the second quarter and forced five turnovers.

The Rockets extended their advantage to 76-67 through three quarters.

Los Angeles used an 11-1 run to pull within 88-85 on a James layup with 2:59 left in the game.

A steal and two baskets from Reed Sheppard pushed the Rockets’ advantage back to 92-85 with 2:20 left and Houston turned four consecutive free throws into a 96-87 advantage with 1:32 remaining.

James and Reaves combined to miss three 3-point attempts over the final 28 seconds with James unable to pull the Lakers within two points when he was off target from long range with 12 seconds left.

After he averaged 25.0 points over the first two games of the series, Lakers sharpshooter Luke Kennard was held to one point on 0-of-4 shooting.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Rockets #avoid #elimination #force #Game #Lakers

Apr 29, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) moves to the basket against Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) during the first half in game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Jabari Smith Jr. scored 22 points and Tari Eason added 18 as the Houston Rockets fought off elimination for a second consecutive game and crawled back into their first-round playoff series with a 99-93 road victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday.

Alperen Sengun scored 14 points with nine rebounds and eight assists, while Amen Thompson added 15 points as the Rockets now trail 3-2 in the series after falling into a 3-0 hole. No NBA team has rallied back from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series.

The consecutive Rockets victories have come without star Kevin Durant (ankle), who has only played in Game 2.

Austin Reaves scored 22 points off the bench in his return from an oblique injury and LeBron James added 25 points for the Lakers. Deandre Ayton scored 18 points with 17 rebounds for Los Angeles, which will get a third chance to clinch the series Friday at Houston.

The Lakers continue to be without star Luka Doncic (hamstring), who was injured along with Reaves in an April 2 game at Oklahoma City. Both players missed the last five regular-season games and the first four playoff games.

The Lakers appeared determined to close out the series by taking an 11-point lead with a minute remaining in the first quarter and leading 28-21 after the opening period.

The Rockets stormed back for a 30-19 advantage in the second quarter and led 51-47 at halftime. Houston shot 6 of 12 from 3-point range in the second quarter and forced five turnovers.

The Rockets extended their advantage to 76-67 through three quarters.

Los Angeles used an 11-1 run to pull within 88-85 on a James layup with 2:59 left in the game.

A steal and two baskets from Reed Sheppard pushed the Rockets’ advantage back to 92-85 with 2:20 left and Houston turned four consecutive free throws into a 96-87 advantage with 1:32 remaining.

James and Reaves combined to miss three 3-point attempts over the final 28 seconds with James unable to pull the Lakers within two points when he was off target from long range with 12 seconds left.

After he averaged 25.0 points over the first two games of the series, Lakers sharpshooter Luke Kennard was held to one point on 0-of-4 shooting.

–Field Level Media

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Deadspin | RJ Barrett’s heroics push Raptors-Cavaliers to Game 7  May 1, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward RJ Barrett (9) celebrates after scoring the winning basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the overtime period  in game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images   RJ Barrett made a 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds left in overtime Friday night as the Toronto Raptors defeated the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers 112-110 to force Game 7 of the first-round playoff series.  Barrett’s Kawhi-esque bucket from straight away hit the back of the rim, bounced high into the air and fell in between the mesh. The shot was from the same end of the court as Leonard’s four-bounce miracle during Game 7 against the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2019 playoffs.  Barrett, the Mississauga, Ontario, native, finished with 24 points. Ja’Kobe Walter also scored 24 to set up the deciding game Sunday at Cleveland.  Scottie Barnes had 25 points and 13 assists for the Raptors, and Collin Murray-Boyles contributed 17 points.  Evan Mobley had 26 points and 14 rebounds for the Cavaliers in a series in which the home team has won each game.  Donovan Mitchell added 24 points, and James Harden had 16 points, nine assists and four turnovers. Jarrett Allen scored 14 points, while Dean Wade contributed 10.  Toronto took an 11-point lead into the fourth quarter. After two Cleveland defensive stops, Mitchell nailed a corner three and then made a driving layup to reduce the margin to three with 6:54 to go. Mobley’s rebound and dunk cut the lead to one with 5:48 left. A Barnes free throw had Toronto up by two with 1:17 left. Toronto’s shot-clock violation gave Cleveland possession with 0:16 left. Mobley’s layup tied the game at 104 with a layup with 0:12 to play in regulation. Jamal Shead missed a 17-footer to set up overtime.   After a Toronto turnover, Harden hit a 12-footer to give Cleveland a two-point lead. Barnes tied it at 108 with a floater with 1:25 left in overtime. Mitchell’s layup put Cleveland up by two with 0:34 left, and then Shead made one of two free throws to cut the lead to one. Mobley’s turnover gave Toronto the ball with 0:11 left to set up Barrett’s shot.  The game was tied at 32 after one quarter.  The Raptors led by nine points after Barnes spun around Harden before making a dunk with 7:04 left in the second quarter. Cleveland cut the lead to two before Toronto took a 61-51 halftime lead following Shead’s 3-pointer with 51 seconds remaining.  A Cleveland turnover led to Barrett’s running layup and a 15-point lead with 5:02 to play in the third quarter. Toronto led 92-81 after three quarters.  Toronto was without Brandon Ingram and Immanuel Quickley.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Barretts #heroics #push #RaptorsCavaliers #GameMay 1, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward RJ Barrett (9) celebrates after scoring the winning basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the overtime period in game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

RJ Barrett made a 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds left in overtime Friday night as the Toronto Raptors defeated the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers 112-110 to force Game 7 of the first-round playoff series.

Barrett’s Kawhi-esque bucket from straight away hit the back of the rim, bounced high into the air and fell in between the mesh. The shot was from the same end of the court as Leonard’s four-bounce miracle during Game 7 against the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2019 playoffs.

Barrett, the Mississauga, Ontario, native, finished with 24 points. Ja’Kobe Walter also scored 24 to set up the deciding game Sunday at Cleveland.

Scottie Barnes had 25 points and 13 assists for the Raptors, and Collin Murray-Boyles contributed 17 points.

Evan Mobley had 26 points and 14 rebounds for the Cavaliers in a series in which the home team has won each game.

Donovan Mitchell added 24 points, and James Harden had 16 points, nine assists and four turnovers. Jarrett Allen scored 14 points, while Dean Wade contributed 10.


Toronto took an 11-point lead into the fourth quarter. After two Cleveland defensive stops, Mitchell nailed a corner three and then made a driving layup to reduce the margin to three with 6:54 to go. Mobley’s rebound and dunk cut the lead to one with 5:48 left. A Barnes free throw had Toronto up by two with 1:17 left. Toronto’s shot-clock violation gave Cleveland possession with 0:16 left. Mobley’s layup tied the game at 104 with a layup with 0:12 to play in regulation. Jamal Shead missed a 17-footer to set up overtime.

After a Toronto turnover, Harden hit a 12-footer to give Cleveland a two-point lead. Barnes tied it at 108 with a floater with 1:25 left in overtime. Mitchell’s layup put Cleveland up by two with 0:34 left, and then Shead made one of two free throws to cut the lead to one. Mobley’s turnover gave Toronto the ball with 0:11 left to set up Barrett’s shot.

The game was tied at 32 after one quarter.

The Raptors led by nine points after Barnes spun around Harden before making a dunk with 7:04 left in the second quarter. Cleveland cut the lead to two before Toronto took a 61-51 halftime lead following Shead’s 3-pointer with 51 seconds remaining.

A Cleveland turnover led to Barrett’s running layup and a 15-point lead with 5:02 to play in the third quarter. Toronto led 92-81 after three quarters.

Toronto was without Brandon Ingram and Immanuel Quickley.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Barretts #heroics #push #RaptorsCavaliers #Game">Deadspin | RJ Barrett’s heroics push Raptors-Cavaliers to Game 7  May 1, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward RJ Barrett (9) celebrates after scoring the winning basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the overtime period  in game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images   RJ Barrett made a 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds left in overtime Friday night as the Toronto Raptors defeated the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers 112-110 to force Game 7 of the first-round playoff series.  Barrett’s Kawhi-esque bucket from straight away hit the back of the rim, bounced high into the air and fell in between the mesh. The shot was from the same end of the court as Leonard’s four-bounce miracle during Game 7 against the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2019 playoffs.  Barrett, the Mississauga, Ontario, native, finished with 24 points. Ja’Kobe Walter also scored 24 to set up the deciding game Sunday at Cleveland.  Scottie Barnes had 25 points and 13 assists for the Raptors, and Collin Murray-Boyles contributed 17 points.  Evan Mobley had 26 points and 14 rebounds for the Cavaliers in a series in which the home team has won each game.  Donovan Mitchell added 24 points, and James Harden had 16 points, nine assists and four turnovers. Jarrett Allen scored 14 points, while Dean Wade contributed 10.  Toronto took an 11-point lead into the fourth quarter. After two Cleveland defensive stops, Mitchell nailed a corner three and then made a driving layup to reduce the margin to three with 6:54 to go. Mobley’s rebound and dunk cut the lead to one with 5:48 left. A Barnes free throw had Toronto up by two with 1:17 left. Toronto’s shot-clock violation gave Cleveland possession with 0:16 left. Mobley’s layup tied the game at 104 with a layup with 0:12 to play in regulation. Jamal Shead missed a 17-footer to set up overtime.   After a Toronto turnover, Harden hit a 12-footer to give Cleveland a two-point lead. Barnes tied it at 108 with a floater with 1:25 left in overtime. Mitchell’s layup put Cleveland up by two with 0:34 left, and then Shead made one of two free throws to cut the lead to one. Mobley’s turnover gave Toronto the ball with 0:11 left to set up Barrett’s shot.  The game was tied at 32 after one quarter.  The Raptors led by nine points after Barnes spun around Harden before making a dunk with 7:04 left in the second quarter. Cleveland cut the lead to two before Toronto took a 61-51 halftime lead following Shead’s 3-pointer with 51 seconds remaining.  A Cleveland turnover led to Barrett’s running layup and a 15-point lead with 5:02 to play in the third quarter. Toronto led 92-81 after three quarters.  Toronto was without Brandon Ingram and Immanuel Quickley.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Barretts #heroics #push #RaptorsCavaliers #Game

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