The Rockets narrow the gap to 2-3 in Los Angeles without Kevin Durant, Paolo Banchero engages in an incredible battle with Cade Cunningham, and DBB captain Dennis Schröder becomes the match-winner.
The Lakers let another match point slip against the Rockets, even with Austin Reaves returning for Game 5. The Magic had to play without Franz Wagner in their chance to advance and fell in a thrilling scoring battle against the Pistons, featuring former No. 1 overall picks. The Cavaliers secured the lead against the Raptors as Schröder heated up late.
Los Angeles Lakers (W4) — Houston Rockets (W5) 93:99 — Series: 3-2
The Lakers aren’t going to… or are they? Never before in NBA history has a team given up a 3-0 lead in the postseason, and only four teams have managed to force a Game 7 after such a deficit. However, Los Angeles squandered its second match point on Wednesday night, breathing further life into Houston.
The signs were actually pointing towards a decisive game. While the Rockets once again had to do without Kevin Durant, who had only played in Game 2, Austin Reaves returned for the Lakers. The guard was on the court for the first time since early April, coming off the bench for nearly 34 minutes and immediately filling the box score with 22 points and 6 assists. However, the shot wasn’t falling frequently for the Doncic-buddy (4/16 FG, 2/8 3FG, 12/13 FT).
Despite his comeback, the Rockets were the better team overall by halftime, heading into the locker room with a 51:47 lead. In the middle of the fourth quarter, Houston even extended their lead to a supposed decisive 87:74, but L.A. responded with an 11:1 run. In Game 3, the Rockets had already absurdly squandered a late lead. Reed Sheppard played a significant role in that collapse with a costly turnover.
However, the sophomore showed strong nerves this evening. With two and a half minutes left on the clock, he hit a jumper over Deandre Ayton, then stole the ball from a surprised LeBron James on the ensuing fast break and dunked to make it 92:85.
LeBron initially narrowed the gap, but the Rockets remained cool at the free-throw line. After some back and forth, Amen Thompson was sent to the line with 20 seconds remaining, with the score at 96:93. His first attempt missed, but the second went in. The Lakers still had enough time and didn’t need an immediate three-pointer. James took it anyway and missed with a shot that was significantly too short. It was their last chance, and Houston then safely secured the win.
With 25 points, LeBron was his team’s leading scorer, but he had no luck from downtown all evening (0/6 3FG). With Luka Doncic absent again and unlikely to play further in the series, an alternative third option was needed besides James and Reaves. In Game 5, that was Deandre Ayton, who put up a powerful double-double (18 PTS, 9/14 FG, 17 REB, 10 OR).
Apart from Rui Hachimura (12, 2/3 3FG), little came from the other role players. Marcus Smart scored 11 points but had 6 turnovers. Luke Kennard, who was celebrated as MVP in the last game at Crypto.com Arena, only managed a meager single point in 31 minutes (0/4 FG, 0/2 3FG). The ‘super important’ Bronny James and Maxi Kleber did not get a chance to show their skills from JJ Redick.
On the other side, Ime Udoka could be pleased with a balanced performance from his team. Every player in his eight-man rotation scored at least five points. Each of his starters scored at least 12 points. Jabari Smith Jr., who had declared before the game that the Rockets were ‘obviously the better team,’ followed up his big words with a solid 22 points. Alperen Sengün flirted with a triple-double (14 PTS, 8 REB, 9 AST).
Game 6 will take place on Friday night in Houston.
Detroit Pistons (E1) — Orlando Magic (E8) 116:109 — Series: 2-3
Cade Cunningham dominated with 27 points for the Pistons, while Paolo Banchero put up 22 points for the Magic by halftime. Both superstars delivered a breathtaking show from the start of Game 5. In the end, Cunningham (45 PTS, 4 REB, 5 AST) and Banchero (45 PTS, 9 REB, 7 AST) were tied in scoring, with both former No. 1 overall picks celebrating career highs in the playoffs.
However, the game went to the Pistons, who kept their playoff hopes alive with the victory. It was evident from the start that Detroit considered this a must-win game in front of their home crowd. Head Coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s team led 38:26 after the first quarter and extended their lead to 17 points in the second quarter.
Led by Banchero, Orlando fought their way back into the game, narrowing the deficit to -6 by halftime and -2 after the break. However, the Pistons pulled away again before the final quarter and even held a 15-point lead early in the quarter. The Magic, who had not led for a single second, made one last run, and Banchero hit a three-pointer with a minute left to make it 109:112. The final say belonged again to Cunningham, who used a jumper on the next possession for the decisive score.
The Pistons’ point guard again had turnover issues (6 TO), but he finally shot the three-pointer efficiently and was as successful from downtown as he had ever been in his playoff career (5/8 3FG). He received scoring support from veteran Tobias Harris, who scored 23 points. Jalen Duren had one of his better games of the series with 12 points (4/6) and 9 rebounds (5 OR). Duncan Robinson (12, 3/6 3FG) matched his scoring output. Ausar Thompson was everywhere (6 PTS, 15 REB, 6 AST, 5 STL, 2 BLK, 5 TO).
The Magic shot well from distance (17/38 3FG) but showed frustrating problems from the free-throw line (16/30 FT). This was especially true for Banchero. While Cunningham on the other side converted all 14 of his attempts from the charity stripe, the Magic forward missed numerous opportunities (5/12 FT). His 6 turnovers also detracted from his record-breaking night.
While co-star Franz Wagner was out with a calf issue, Anthony Black (19) and Desmond Bane (18) contributed offensively. Wagner’s replacement, Jamal Cain, who was the celebrated hero in Game 4, had little impact (5 PTS, 4 REB). Tristan da Silva came off the bench for 3 points and 3 boards in 16 minutes. DBB teammate Moritz Wagner was not used.
A horror streak continues for Orlando: all ten attempts to win a series on the road in Game 5 have failed so far. The next chance for a sensation follows on Friday night. Game 6 will take place at their home Kia Center.
Cleveland Cavaliers (E4) — Toronto Raptors (E5) 125:120 — Series: 3-2
The Cavs secured Game 5 after two consecutive losses and regained the lead in the series. However, Cleveland had to work hard for their tenth home win in ten playoff home games against Toronto. By halftime, the Raptors were already leading 74:67 and immediately extended their lead with five quick points after the break. The Canadians led 103:100 heading into the final quarter.
However, the final twelve minutes belonged to Dennis Schröder. The DBB captain, who played only five minutes in Game 3, was on the court for the entire fourth quarter. At one point, he was supposed to be replaced by superstar Donovan Mitchell, who, along with Evan Mobley, was supposed to be subbed in by Head Coach Kenny Atkinson. However, the two made it clear that this would be a bad idea: «No, the other guys are on a run right now,» they reportedly told their coach, according to his own account.
And Schröder led that run with 11 points and 2 assists in the fourth quarter alone. While the Raptors missed all of their first eleven shots in the final period, the Cavaliers caught fire and turned the game around. In total, Schröder scored 19 points with strong percentages (7/11 FG, 3/6 3FG). Mitchell also scored 19 points. The top scorer title was shared by Mobley and James Harden, both of whom had 23 points and 9 rebounds. Harden also dished out 5 assists – and committed 6 turnovers.
The Raptors moved the ball better (32:20 assists), worked hard on the offensive glass (15:4), and were clearly superior in transition (24:6). However, they had a slightly worse shooting night. While the Canadians shot 39 percent from downtown, Cleveland hit every second attempt from deep.
What made the late loss even more painful for Darko Rajakovic’s team: Brandon Ingram had to leave the game in the second quarter with an inflammation in his right ankle. All-Star teammate Scottie Barnes was also hampered after taking a blow to the thigh in the first half. He scored only three of his 17 points after the break. Nevertheless, the forward narrowly missed a triple-double with 8 rebounds and 11 assists.
More successful in scoring for the Raptors were Jamal Sheed (18 PTS, 7 AST), JaKobe Walter (20 PTS, 6/14 3FG), and RJ Barrett (25 PTS, 12 REB). Jakob Pöltl put up 14 points and 9 rebounds. Together, they must win Game 6 in Canada on Friday night to force a seventh decisive game.
NBA Playoffs 2026: Matchups and First Round Standings
| Conference | Matchup | Standings |
|---|---|---|
| Western | Thunder (1) — Suns (8) | 4-0 |
| Western | Lakers (4) — Rockets (5) | 3-2 |
| Western | Nuggets (3) — Timberwolves (6) | 2-3 |
| Western | Spurs (2) — Trail Blazers (7) | 4-1 |
| Eastern | Pistons (1) — Magic (8) | 2-3 |
| Eastern | Cavaliers (4) — Raptors (5) | 3-2 |
| Eastern | Knicks (3) — Hawks (6) | 3-2 |
| Eastern | Celtics (2) — Sixers (7) | 3-2 |