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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 21: Jabari Smith Jr. #10 of the Houston Rockets and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers on court during the second half of Game Two of the NBA Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Houston Rockets are down 3-1 in their first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers, but according to their players, not all hope is yet lost.
The Rockets have played all but one game of their series against the Lakers without superstar Kevin Durant, and while his injury return status is still up in the air for the crucial Game 5, Houston still believes it can turn the series around.
Before what might be the Rockets’ last game of the season, a few of their players had some surprising quotes about their thoughts on the Lakers and the first-round matchup as a whole.
GettySAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 28: Jabari Smith Jr. #10 of the Houston Rockets celebrates a basket against the Golden State Warriors during the third quarter in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Chase Center on April 28, 2025 in San Francisco, California.
Speaking at his press availability, Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. sent a strong message to the Lakers that the team could use for fuel in Game 5.
“We’re obviously the better team, I feel like,” he said, per reporter Adam Wexler. “I just feel like from top to bottom, you can say that’s an opinion, (that) I’m biased, I just think we’re the better team.”
Smith’s comments mirror what Jalen Duren of the Detroit Pistons said after they went down 3-1 in their first-round series. Both teams feel they are better, but for some reason, they are on the brink of elimination.
#Rockets Jabari Smith Jr. on what Kevin Durant’s message to the team has been during game 4 & in the days since, “stay with it, be us, be aggressive, play free.” Smith added, “we’re obviously the better team I feel like.” & when asked why he feels that way said,” I just feel like
Through the first four games of the series, Smith’s point is hard to argue, as he and the Rockets have had multiple disappointing performances in a row. Despite that, as Alperen Sengun added at practice, Houston is ready to hit back against the Lakers in Game 5.
“I’m ready. I know they’re going to hit. We’re hitting them, too,” he said. “We’re younger. We heal faster than them, probably. We’re just going to hit each other.”
The Rockets might have youth on their side, but without Durant, they haven’t been able to mount much against the Lakers. Still, based on recent updates, Houston could see their star return for Game 5, as he’s been dealing with a new ankle injury for the past few matchups.
GettyKevin Durant injury return update, Houston Rockets Game 5 vs Lakers
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Durant is not expected to play in Game 5 for the Rockets as he continues to deal with a bone bruise in his right ankle, an injury he suffered in Game 2 of the series.
However, when asked by reporters, head coach Ime Udoka didn’t rule out the idea of the 37-year-old suiting up on Wednesday night.
“We’ll see,” Udoka said on Tuesday. “It is day to day, game to game. But we’ll have to get on the court and do some things, and he didn’t participate in practice today. But he’s doing the conditioning and other aspects to try to get back.”
Though Durant reportedly didn’t practice on Monday, he “was working on an AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill, per Ime Udoka. Specific treadmill removes weight-bearing element of running/walking. Allows Durant to rehab his ankle while not putting pressure on bone + joints,” according to Michael Shapiro of the Houston Chronicle.
Durant was working on an AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill, per Ime Udoka.
Specific treadmill removes weight-bearing element of running/walking. Allows Durant to rehab his ankle while not putting pressure on bone + joints. https://t.co/WnatQvh5sf
— Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) April 28, 2026
Officially, Durant’s status remains up in the air. Though Charania reported the Rockets might not be expecting him to play in Game 5, he hasn’t been ruled out.
While Smith and Sengun believe Houston might still have a chance to mount a comeback, a Durant injury return will play a big part in which team ends up advancing in the series.
Game 5 of Rockets vs Lakers tips off on Wednesday, April 29, at 9 pm CST and will be live on ESPN.
Eli Gregorski is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy Sports. He has years of sports writing experience covering the NBA, NFL, college football and basketball, international soccer, and Formula One. He graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder, where he was the assistant sports editor for the award-winning CU Independent student publication. More about Eli Gregorski
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