On the unveiling night of their 2019-20 championship banner, the defending champion Lakers had to survive in Wednesday’s 124-122 win (box score) over the visiting Rockets, who have the NBA’s worst record.
Rookie guard Armoni Brooks scored a career-high 24 points at Staples Center to lead the Rockets, who went on a late 9-0 run and briefly led until Kyle Kuzma’s runner in the final seconds sealed it for Los Angeles. Kuzma finished with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists.
Talen Horton-Tucker (22 points, 10 assists) and Andre Drummond (20 points, 10 rebounds) led Los Angeles in scoring, while other standouts for Houston included Kelly Olynyk (24 points, 8 assists), KJ Martin (20 points, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks), and Cameron Oliver (17 points).
Armoni Brooks. Career high 24 points. pic.twitter.com/ejxGFUt0ba
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) May 13, 2021
Though they were expected to play earlier in the day, superstars LeBron James (ankle) and Anthony Davis (groin) were late scratches. With the win, Los Angeles (40-30) stayed a game behind Portland and Dallas (41-29) in the race to avoid the Western Conference’s No. 7 seed — which would require winning a play-in tournament game to make the playoffs.
Lakers defeat Rockets 124-122. Wesley Matthews makes big-time play with steal. THT has 23 points, 10 assists, Kuz near triple-double with 19 points, including go-ahead basket, 10 rebounds, 7 assists.
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) May 13, 2021
Houston (16-54) was missing 11 of the team’s 17 players under standard contracts: Christian Wood (right ankle), John Wall (right hamstring), Eric Gordon (right groin), Sterling Brown (head/face lacerations), Kevin Porter Jr. (left ankle), Avery Bradley (personal reasons), Dante Exum (left calf), Danuel House Jr. (right ankle), DaQuan Jeffries (right ankle), David Nwaba (right wrist) and D.J. Wilson (health and safety protocols). The Rockets, who have been ravaged by injuries throughout the 2020-21 season, reached the required number of eight active players with Oliver and Khyri Thomas — who are on hardship exceptions.
The Rockets return to play Friday with their regular-season home finale at Toyota Center against the Los Angeles Clippers. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. Central. For now, here’s a roundup of postgame highlights, analysis, and reaction from Wednesday’s late game versus the Lakers.
[lawrence-related id=49063,49008]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2HMdJk9WCI
Incredible initial defense from Tate on THT, but Kuzma able to take Martin all the way to the rim. 123-122 Lakers, 6.9 seconds to go in this one. Rockets ball.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIkoNBA) May 13, 2021
The Rockets lost, but Jae'Sean Tate absolutely had THT locked up here. pic.twitter.com/9a5PAc62X8
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) May 13, 2021
Ouch. Sloppy possession there by Kelly Olynyk. Just loses the ball off his knee. Lakers recover, this one likely over folks.
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIkoNBA) May 13, 2021
Armoni Brooks career-high 24 points
KJ Martin another 20 point night on 3/5 from deep, hot shooting continues
Can Oliver with 17 off the bench
Jae'Sean Tate 16/5/2 and 3/3 from three
Kelly Olynyk 24/6/8/2 stl
It was a good night. https://t.co/fE0NgdkZx9
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) May 13, 2021
Stephen Silas: "I can't overstate how proud I am of this group." Says guys are limping around out on the court, but then still lifting weights in the hallway immediately following a tough 2-point loss. "They deserve a reward more than me telling them I appreciate them."
— Danielle Lerner (@danielle_lerner) May 13, 2021
Silas said the character and the fight of the team made him really proud. He specifically mentioned Jae'Sean Tate and DJ Augustin giving it "everything that they had".
— Anthony Duckett (@a_duckett) May 13, 2021
Stephen Silas: “I’ve got multiple guys out there limping around..So proud.There was a time during the game when I had to stop & shake me head at Jae’Sean Tate..limping around,trying as hard as he possibly can.Same thing with DJ Augustin & Kelly (Okynyk)& the young guys of course” pic.twitter.com/xqOECvPzDh
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) May 13, 2021
Silas said the team is not just showing him how hard they're playing but also Rockets fans. Said he wishes the group could have won the game because of how hard they fought.
— Anthony Duckett (@a_duckett) May 13, 2021
Kelly Olynyk on the final play where Wes Matthews poked the ball away from him: “It’s a good play on his part but I gotta be tighter with the ball in that situation and at least get a shot off.”
— Danielle Lerner (@danielle_lerner) May 13, 2021
KJ Martin on his performance tonight: "That's my mindset each game. No matter how it's going, I'm going to give it 100% every time and try to get the win, knowing that I gave it my all."
— Anthony Duckett (@a_duckett) May 13, 2021