The Houston Rockets are facing an impending playoff exit after a embarrassing loss to the Lakers, despite the Lakers missing key players Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. The Rockets’ performance was a tragic spectacle, culminating in public self-recrimination during post-game interviews. Kevin Durant was notably absent from these proceedings.
In contrast, the Spurs are showcasing resilience, proving that a team can thrive even without its superstar. The Boston Celtics, meanwhile, are relying on the star power of Jalen Brown and Jayson Tatum, who consistently make the difference in crucial moments against the 76ers.
Here are the key takeaways from the NBA night.
Rockets vs. Lakers: Embarrassing Plays and a Humiliating Press Conference
Historically, no NBA team has ever come back from a 0-3 deficit to win a series. One might have expected the Rockets to fight tooth and nail to avoid a third consecutive loss against the Lakers. Instead, they displayed their usual pattern: significantly more shot attempts but far fewer made baskets. In Game 1, Houston attempted 27 more shots; in Game 2, they took 17 more; and in Game 3, they hoisted the ball towards the basket 19 more times. It’s almost unfathomable to lose all three games given these shooting disparities, pointing to a complete collapse in shooting efficiency.
Furthermore, their play in crunch time was characterized by a total lack of strategy. Throughout the season, the Rockets have struggled in the final minutes, exhibiting an offense reliant on offensive rebounds with poor spacing and a dearth of competent ball-handlers. This suggests a fundamental issue with their offensive approach.
However, the final 30 seconds of Game 3 were particularly harrowing. In the last 29 years, NBA playoff teams held a 1713-1 record when leading by at least six points in the final 30 seconds. The Rockets inexplicably brought this record to 1713-2. First, Jabari Smith Jr. inexplicably threw the ball to Marcus Smart, who rose for a three-pointer and was fouled by Jae’Sean Tate. Smart converted all three free throws, cutting the lead to three. The Rockets called a timeout to avoid another careless turnover, only to commit one again. Reed Sheppard, under pressure from LeBron James and closing in on Marcus Smart, lost possession, and the ball ended up back with the Lakers. LeBron James quickly hit a three-pointer to tie the game.
Sheppard took responsibility, calling it a «dumb turnover» and refusing to make excuses. «I’ve been playing basketball long enough. If you’re dribbling the ball up the court with 30 seconds left, you dribble the ball up the court with 30 seconds left. There’s no excuse because someone has never done it in a playoff game or isn’t familiar with the situation. It doesn’t matter,» he stated.
His head coach, Ime Udoka, offered a slightly different perspective. «I don’t know if you can attribute it to inexperience or them being scared of the moment,» Udoka said, describing his team’s play as «terrible mistakes.» This included the final possession where Alperen Sengun missed a potential game-winner. «We didn’t run the play that I drew up,» Udoka admitted, concluding with a stern message: «You guys need to grow up. You’re not kids anymore.»
On the opposing bench, JJ Redick demonstrated a more self-critical and empathetic coaching style. «In overtime, it wasn’t pretty. I made mistakes in overtime, we made some mistakes with the game plan, and we made some mistakes defensively. But we just kept playing. Today asked a lot of all of us.»
It certainly seems that way.
Rockets vs. Lakers: Kevin Durant Simply Disappears
Perhaps the mood within the Rockets would have been more upbeat if their «good vibes uncle,» Kevin Durant, had been present. However, the Rockets’ superstar, who missed Game 1 due to injury, was also sidelined for Game 3.
He wasn’t watching from the bench with his teammates. KD was nowhere to be seen at the Toyota Center in Houston. Udoka explained post-game that Durant was continuing to receive treatment for his injured ankle during the game.
While this might be true and sensible, Durant’s public image with the Rockets has been less than optimal in recent months, to put it mildly. Body language experts have likely enjoyed observing Durant’s regular head shakes, slumped shoulders, and raised arms.
It’s unconfirmed, but the team chemistry within the Rockets has appeared dysfunctional, particularly since the All-Star break. The reports about KD’s burner account were never confirmed, but it doesn’t take much imagination to believe he harbors negative thoughts about his current teammates. Whether he’s expressed these thoughts in short messages remains to be seen.
His availability for Game 4 is still uncertain. «He’s made some progress over the last few days, but we’ll have to see how that develops with only one day in between,» Udoka announced. The Rockets’ potentially season-ending Game 4 is scheduled for early Monday morning.
Trail Blazers vs. Spurs: Wembanyama’s Absence at the Right Time
Another Texas team is presenting the exact opposite picture. The young Spurs squad started the playoffs with euphoria after Victor Wembanyama’s record-breaking night. However, Game 2 against the Trail Blazers brought a double shock: a loss and ‘Wemby’ being forced out early with a concussion.
The ambitious Frenchman, who traveled with his team to Portland, was eager to play in the third game. According to The Athletic, Wemby tried everything to participate. While he avoided his usual contact drills, he completed his standard warm-up routine on Friday and was part of the Spurs’ shootaround.
Ultimately, the «Concussion Protocol» prevented him from playing, at least on the court. However, in street clothes, Wemby sat on the bench with his teammates, cheering them on.
At one point, he could hardly believe what he was witnessing up close. Rookie Dylan Harper delivered a poster-worthy dunk over Robert Williams III in the third quarter.
‘Yeah, Wemby can’t believe it.’ 😅 https://t.co/7BTvywqx5h
— NBA (@NBA) April 25, 2026
Harper, who became the second-youngest player after Kobe Bryant to score over 20 points off the bench in the playoffs, came alive in the second half, finishing with 27 points. However, the leading scorer was Stephon Castle, who posted 33 points and was the reigning ROTY.
The Spurs’ inexperience was considered a major «weakness» heading into the postseason. In Game 3, several young players stepped up without Wemby, taking on larger roles and becoming match-winners. Head coach Mitch Johnson, however, saw it slightly differently, praising another rookie alongside Harper. «He did a really good job of never being satisfied,» the coach said of Carter Bryant. «I thought his game was just as impressive as Dylan’s. It just doesn’t always show up in the box score.»
Bryant, despite making only one of five shots, contributed with 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks. Johnson was impressed by the baptism by fire for two of his rookies on the big stage. «The competitor in me just really enjoyed it. These two young men really took the initiative.»
The Spurs have taken another step towards championship maturity.
Sixers vs. Celtics: ‘The Anomaly’ on a Fast Track to Normality
The Sixers were building momentum for an upset. After unexpectedly stealing Game 2 in Boston, the team put up a strong fight in the third matchup against the Celtics. After Tyrese Maxey hit a fadeaway jumper and then a three-pointer in the fourth quarter, igniting the Xfinity Mobile Arena, it looked like Philly might take a 2-1 lead. Maxey’s personal 5-0 run gave the 76ers an 85-84 lead with 8:42 remaining.
However, the Celtics were not in the mood for surprises. Once again, fans witnessed what other Eastern Conference teams had hoped to avoid this year: late-game heroics from the «Jays.»
Jalen Brown took control in the final quarter, scoring eight consecutive points. Jayson Tatum even surpassed him in the final twelve minutes, contributing eleven points. With 27 seconds left, Tatum sealed the game with a dagger three-pointer for a 106-100 lead.
Tatum, whose Achilles tendon tear is not even a year old, once again impressively demonstrated in Philadelphia how quickly he’s returned to near peak form. With 25 points, he shared the team’s scoring lead with Brown. His shooting was on point (9/17 FG, 5/9 3FG), and the forward also contributed with 5 rebounds and 7 assists.
Most impressive, however, was his fourth-quarter performance. Not only did he score eleven crucial points, hitting almost all his shots (4/5 FG, 2/2 3FG), but he played the entire final twelve minutes and still had enough in the tank in the closing seconds to hit the decisive three-pointer.
Overall, Tatum played 42:24 minutes, the most on his team and only four seconds less than the tireless Maxey on the opposing side. Tatum, who has played less than 30 minutes only once since his return, is living up to his nickname «The Anomaly» with conviction.
While the Celtics can rely on two healthy superstars in the crucial moments, the 76ers lacked offensive punch, and Maxey, with his 31 points, was largely on his own. No other player on his team reached the 20-point mark. Rookie VJ Edgecombe, who had a historically hot shooting hand in the previous game, missed all seven of his three-point attempts and scored only ten points.
Joel Embiid is nearing a potential comeback, but he remains out. If he doesn’t return soon, the Sixers’ postseason could be over before he even gets a chance to play.
NBA Playoffs 2026: Matchups and First-Round Standings
| Conference | Matchup | Stand |
|---|---|---|
| Western | Thunder (1) — Suns (8) | 2-0 |
| Western | Lakers (4) — Rockets (5) | 3-0 |
| Western | Nuggets (3) — Timberwolves (6) | 1-2 |
| Western | Spurs (2) — Trail Blazers (7) | 2-1 |
| Eastern | Pistons (1) — Magic (8) | 1-1 |
| Eastern | Cavaliers (4) — Raptors (5) | 2-1 |
| Eastern | Knicks (3) — Hawks (6) | 1-1 |
| Eastern | Celtics (2) — Sixers (7) | 2-1 |