NBA Legend Shaquille O’Neal Sends Harsh Message After Rockets-Lakers Game 5

Ayomide AdeduyiteThu, April 30, 2026 at 5:42 AM UTC

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Four-time NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal watched as the Los Angeles Lakers tried to close out the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night and book their ticket to the second round. Instead, they let a series that was firmly in their grasp slip further away.

Playing without Kevin Durant for the third straight game, the Rockets won a crucial Game 5 99-93 at Crypto.com Arena. They held LeBron James and the Lakers to their lowest offensive output of the series, with Houston’s three-point shooting and defense proving to be the difference.

The Rockets drilled 14 three-pointers, twice as many as Los Angeles, with Jabari Smith Jr. finishing with 22 points and seven rebounds to lead the Rockets.

Los Angeles Lakers legend Shaquille O'Neal looks on before an NBA gameDavid Butler II-Imagn Images

James led all scorers with 25 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a Houston team that has now won two straight games to extend a series that once looked over.

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The collapse has been a hard pill to swallow for Los Angeles fans and nobody made that clearer than O’Neal. The longtime Lakers legend did not hold back on “Inside the NBA” after the final buzzer, expressing his disappointment in his former team.

“I hate watching the Lakers sometimes cause at the end of the game they try to play hero ball... I’m glad the Rockets beat them. We know what needs to be done to win the championship. LeBron knows that. I’m surprised that they didn't come out with that effort and intensity. And I’m super disappointed in the Lakers tonight.”

The Lakers still lead the series 3-2, but the momentum has shifted entirely to Houston. Game 6 heads back to Toyota Center in Houston on Friday, and Durant’s potential return looms in the background. With Luka Doncic reportedly ruled out for the series due to a hamstring injury, the Lakers cannot afford to drop the ball on the road.

Related: Luka Doncic’s Return Timeline Emerges After JJ Redick Update

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 30, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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Source: “AOL Sports”