Durant Out, Lakers Push to Close Out Rockets in Game 6

Los Angeles heads to Houston with a 3-2 series lead and a chance to finish the Rockets in Game 6, despite Kevin Durant being ruled out for Houston. Austin Reaves returns with 22 points in Game 5 to bolster the Lakers’ depth, but Houston has won two straight elimination games and is favored at home, keeping the series competitive. The Lakers also face uncertainty around Luka Dončić’s status for a potential second-round matchup, adding urgency to closing out the series quickly.