LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives the ball against James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets during the third quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 12, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers advance to the Western Conference Finals after eliminating the Houston Rockets in five games.
LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers raced out to a first first-quarter lead and that was all it took to put the Houston Rockets down in their pursuit of extending the series to a sixth game.
The Lakers beat the Rockets, 119-96. They now await the winner of the Los Angeles Clippers-Denver Nuggets. The Clippers hold a 3-2 series lead and look to eliminate the Nuggets in Sunday’s Game 6.
LeBron looked like his vintage self with 29 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists for the victors. Anthony Davis contributed 13 points and 11 rebounds on an off night for the All-Star big man who had six turnovers on the night. Kyle Kuzma chipped in with 17 points off the bench.
For the Rockets, this loss could signal a massive reset for the organization that has routinely come close but has failed to get to the next step toward winning an NBA championship.
The Rockets could be looking at a massive overhaul this offseason after another early postseason exit
Will there be a coaching change? A change in the front office? Will Russell Westbrook be traded, and what could he bring in return? Would the Rockets go the nuclear option and trade James Harden?
All options could be on the table for the organization after another disappointing postseason exit.
Harden finished with 30 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists but the numbers were largely hollow as the rest of his supporting cast couldn’t keep pace with the Lakers who are hell-bent on getting to the NBA Finals.
Westbrook was disappointing in what may be his final game in a Rockets uniform, finishing with 10 points, 4 rebounds and 6 assists on 4-of-13 shooting.