Ime Udoka gives stern message to Rockets after blowing Game 3 lead
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The Houston Rockets were about 25 seconds away from getting their first win of the NBA playoffs; instead they will have to stage an unprecedented comeback.
The Rockets lost their last six-point lead against the Los Angeles Lakers after costly turnovers and are now three games to none.
No NBA team has been able to come back from this deficit, and to do so, Rockets head coach Ime Udoka gave his team a stern message.
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Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka talks with Tari Eason during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Toyota Center in Houston on April 24, 2026. (Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
“To leave,” he said His message to the team after the defeat was: “You are not that young anymore. You went to the play-offs once and we have watched every situation now.”
Even though Kevin Durant started for the second game of this series (this time with a sprained ankle after missing Game 1 with a knee injury), the Rockets were in position to close out the game after LeBron James committed consecutive turnovers and Houston took a 101-95 lead.
That’s when everything went wrong for the Rockets. Marcus Smart was fouled on a 3-pointer with 25 seconds left in the fourth after a Houston turnover and made all three free throws to put the Lakers within three points.
Houston Rockets Head Coach Ime Udoka reacts during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers in game three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs first round at Toyota Center on April 24, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Troy Taormina/Imagn Images)
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James then stole the ball from Reed Sheppard and drilled a 3-pointer to tie the score at 101 with 13 seconds left in the fourth.
Los Angeles then beat Houston 11-7 in the overtime period to win 112-108.
The 41-year-old James, who had 29 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists, played more than 45 minutes on Friday night. He said he had no choice but to do his best due to injuries to top scorers Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers gestures during the pregame ritual before the first quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 24, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
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That sentiment will need to carry over into the Rockets locker room if they want to make history.
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