The NBA announced on Apr. 26 the schedule and television details for Game 5 of the first-round playoff series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets.
The announcement comes after the Lakers, who were considered underdogs due to injuries to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, managed to win three consecutive games before falling to the Rockets in Game 4. The loss prevented a sweep but left Los Angeles still leading the series as they return home for Game 5 at Crypto.com Arena.
Despite missing their two leading scorers, the Lakers took an early advantage in the series by winning Games 1, 2, and a dramatic overtime victory in Game 3. However, fatigue appeared to affect them in Houston during Game 4 as they lost decisively to a desperate Rockets team.
With both teams dealing with injuries—Houston’s Kevin Durant has also been sidelined—the extended series could allow key players time to recover before Wednesday’s matchup. Both Reaves and Durant were questionable for recent games but did not play; their status remains uncertain for Game 5.
Game 5 is scheduled for Wednesday, April 29 at 7 p.m. Pacific Time on ESPN from Crypto.com Arena. If necessary, Games 6 and 7 would take place on May 1 at Toyota Center in Houston and May 3 back in Los Angeles respectively.
