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Jabari Smtih Jr. and the Rockets forced a Game 6 by defeating the Rockets Wednesday night.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s it for Wednesday night!<\/p>\n
Enjoy the best of the\u00a02026 NBA Playoffs<\/a>, presented by Google, with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news and highlights from the night\u2019s action.<\/p>\n Cade Cunningham and Paolo Banchero both dropped 45 points<\/a> in a classic Playoff duel as the Pistons forced Game 6 with a 116-109<\/a> victory.<\/p>\n The Cavaliers outlasted the Raptors 125-120<\/a> to take a 3-2 lead behind James Harden (23 pts. 9 reb, 5 ast) and Evan Mobley (23 pts, 9 reb).<\/p>\n The Rockets held off a late Lakers rally to extend the series with a 99-93<\/a> win, as their young talents showed poise down the stretch, led by Jabari Smith Jr. (22 pts, 7 reb).<\/p>\n What we know after Wednesday\u2019s games:<\/p>\n A team with a 3-2 lead in the NBA Playoffs has gone on to win the series 84% of the time. Pistons-Magic, 7 ET Postgame Pressers:<\/p>\n APRIL 30, 2026 \/ 1:11 ET<\/p>\n Wednesday\u2019s results<\/p>\n Paolo Banchero (45 pts, 7 reb, 9 ast, 2 stl) is your top performer of the night.<\/p>\n APRIL 30, 2026 \/ 1:03 ET<\/p>\n Postgame Presser: Rockets-Lakers<\/p>\n LIVE: Rockets\/Lakers Game 5 Postgame Presser <\/p>\n NBA Playoffs presented by @Google<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/a0T8nyEU37<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NBA (@NBA) April 30, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n APRIL 30, 2026 \/ 12:50 ET<\/p>\n Rockets win to force Game 6<\/p>\n Houston takes it 99-93, led by Jabari Smith Jr. (22 pts, 7 reb) and Alperen Sengun (14 pts, 9 reb, 8 ast).<\/p>\n \u201cBig time performances from everybody,\u201d said Coach Ime Udoka.<\/p>\n The Lakers cut the Rockets lead to three twice in the fourth quarter, but could get no closer.<\/p>\n LeBron James (25 pts, 7 ast) led the way for the Lake Show.<\/p>\n APRIL 30, 2026 \/ 12:26 ET<\/p>\n Lakers staying within striking distance<\/p>\n 87-78 Rockets with 5:04 to go in the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n LeBron James (21 pts, 7 ast) just put up five straight points to get the Lakers back into it, capped by a vintage coast-to-coast push finished off with a spin and layup.<\/p>\n APRIL 30, 2026 \/ 12:06 ET<\/p>\n Rockets up 76-67 after three quarters<\/p>\n Jabari Smith Jr. (16 pts) has the Rockets on the verge of forcing a Game 6, as the Houston defense locked down the Lakers in the third quarter.<\/p>\n Jabari Smith Jr. up to 16 points in Game 5 \ud83d\udd25<\/p>\n 12-3 Rockets run to take the lead! pic.twitter.com\/7mQnKf0UT0<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NBA (@NBA) April 30, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Austin Reaves (18 pts) is leading the Lake Show in his first game back, while LeBron James (14 pts, 7 ast) is contributing.<\/p>\n APRIL 29, 2026 \/ 11:38 ET<\/p>\n Rockets start second half hot<\/p>\n 59-51 Rockets with 9:00 to go in the third quarter, as Houston takes its largest lead of the night.<\/p>\n APRIL 29, 2026 \/ 11:24 ET<\/p>\n Rockets up 51-47 at the half<\/p>\n Jabari Smith Jr. (10 pts, 2 reb, 2 blk) and Tari Eason (10 pts, 1 blk) are leading Houston in scoring, as the Rockets shoot 50% from the field.<\/p>\n Marcus Smart (11 pts) and Austin Reaves (11 pts) are the top men for the Rockets.<\/p>\n APRIL 29, 2026 \/ 11:07 ET<\/p>\n Houston battles back<\/p>\n 40-38 Rockets with 4:32 to go in the second quarter.<\/p>\n Houston\u2019s 7-of-18 (38.9%) from 3-point range so far tonight, with Dorian Finney-Smith (6 pts) and Jabari Smith Jr. (10 pts) knocking down two apiece.<\/p>\n We had five lead changes and three ties in the first half, as the Rockets play to extend their season.<\/p>\n Catch the second half on ESPN!<\/p>\n APRIL 29, 2026 \/ 10:52 ET<\/p>\n Lakers up 28-21 after one<\/p>\n Marcus Smart (8 pts) led all scorers, as Los Angeles earned a 7-0 advantage in points off turnovers to earn an early advantage over Houston.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve got to be aggressive. It starts with stops,\u201d Jabari Smith Jr. told ESPN\u2019s Malika Andrews.<\/p>\n APRIL 29, 2026 \/ 10:33 ET<\/p>\n Postgame Presser: Raptors-Cavaliers<\/p>\n LIVE: Raptors\/Cavaliers Game 5 Postgame Presser <\/p>\n NBA Playoffs presented by @Google<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/CtVS856S1N<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NBA (@NBA) April 30, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n APRIL 29, 2026 \/ 10:26 ET<\/p>\n One time for the Paolo-Cade duel<\/p>\n 45 POINTS FOR CADE.<\/p>\n 45 POINTS FOR PAOLO.<\/p>\n 2nd time EVER two opponents have dropped 45 in a postseason game\u2026 Pistons keep their season alive in an ALL-TIME battle between the 2021 and 2022 No. 1 picks \ud83e\udd2f pic.twitter.com\/BvRX27ZP8S<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NBA (@NBA) April 30, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n APRIL 29, 2026 \/ 10:21 ET<\/p>\n LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers could close out the Houston Rockets tonight on ESPN.<\/p>\n Houston:<\/p>\n PG Reed Sheppard<\/p>\n The Rockets need sound decisions and shooting from Sheppard with Kevin Durant out.<\/p>\n SG Amen Thompson<\/p>\n Thompson\u2019s lack of one-on-one shake will be tested tonight, as the Rockets strive to find their offensive balance.<\/p>\n SF Tari Eason<\/p>\n Eason steps into the starting lineup for Kevin Durant, adding defensive intensity and toughness.<\/p>\n PF Jabari Smith Jr.<\/p>\n Smith Jr. could step up as the Rockets look for another creative outlet.<\/p>\n C Alperen Sengun<\/p>\n The Turkish center needs to power the Rockets\u2019 rebalanced offensive attack, opening up offensive opportunities for his teammates.<\/p>\n Los Angeles:<\/p>\n PG Luke Kennard<\/p>\n Kennard\u2019s shooting 45% from 3-point range in this series, living up to his reputation as one of the great shooters in the league.<\/p>\n SG Marcus Smart<\/p>\n Smart\u2019s offensive creativity has been big. With Austin Reaves back, he\u2019ll shift into more of a 3&D role.<\/p>\n SF LeBron James<\/p>\n At age 41, James has had more than enough to power the Rockets in this series.<\/p>\n PF Rui Hachimura<\/p>\n Hachimura has been a two-way force for the Lakers in this series, shooting 52.6% from 3-point range.<\/p>\n C Deandre Ayton<\/p>\n Ayton had 19 points and 10 rebounds in the Lakers\u2019 Game 4 loss. If he battles Sengun to a standstill, the Lakers should win.<\/p>\n Watch Josh Okogie off the Rockets\u2019 bench \u2014 they\u2019ll need a spark to change the momentum of this series.<\/p>\n APRIL 29, 2026 \/ 10:19 ET<\/p>\n Cavaliers win pivotal Game 5<\/p>\n 125-120<\/a>, as James Harden (23 pts, 9 reb, 5 ast) leads Cleveland to a 3-2 advantage.<\/p>\n Mobley and Harden TOOK OVER in Game 5 \ud83d\udc4f<\/p>\n Each dropped 23 points and 9 boards to give the Cavs a 3-2 series lead!@JHarden13<\/a>: 7-13 FGM, 5 AST, 2 STL@evanmobley<\/a>: 8-13 FGM, 3-3 3PM, 3 BLK pic.twitter.com\/yOdcNsTFTQ<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NBA (@NBA) April 30, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The Cavs were 18-of-36 (50%) from 3-point range in the victory.<\/p>\n APRIL 29, 2026 \/ 10:05 ET<\/p>\n Postgame Presser: Magic-Pistons<\/p>\n LIVE: Magic\/Pistons Game 5 Postgame Presser <\/p>\n NBA Playoffs presented by @Google<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/tCzmxYoih9<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NBA (@NBA) April 30, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n APRIL 29, 2026 \/ 9:56 ET<\/p>\n Raptors, Cavaliers close late<\/p>\n 115-111 Cleveland with 5:37 to go in the fourth, in a game that\u2019s seen seven lead changes and six ties.<\/p>\n APRIL 29, 2026 \/ 9:43 ET<\/p>\n Detroit wins, forces Game 6<\/p>\n The Pistons win 116-109<\/a>, as Cade Cunningham (45 pts on 13-of-23 shooting) out-dueled Paolo Banchero (45 pts on 17-of-31 shooting) to lead the Pistons to a Game 6.<\/p>\n \u201cBack against the wall, never-say-die mentality,\u201d said Cunningham. \u201cIt was great (to duel with Paolo). It was great basketball.\u201d<\/p>\n Detroit led wire-to-wire in the victory, earning a 48-36 advantage in points in the paint along the way.<\/p>\n APRIL 29, 2026 \/ 9:38 ET<\/p>\n Cade tosses a dagger<\/p>\n 114-109 Detroit with 31.3 seconds remaining.<\/p>\n Cunningham (45 pts) just countered a bucket from Paolo Banchero (45 pts) in a truly great Playoff duel.<\/p>\n Banchero\u2019s one bucket behind Dwight Howard and Tracy McGrady for the Magic all-time Playoff scoring record of 46 points.<\/p>\n Catch the finish on Prime!<\/p>\n APRIL 29, 2026 \/ 9:35 ET<\/p>\n Cool as Cade<\/p>\n Cunningham (43 pts) has broken the Pistons all-time Playoff scoring record, but the Magic are still within striking distance at 112-106 with 1:35 to go.<\/p>\n \u201cStill a lot of time in this,\u201d said Stan Van Gundy. \u201cThey can\u2019t quite put them away.\u201d<\/p>\n APRIL 29, 2026 \/ 9:22 ET<\/p>\n What a battle between Paolo and Cade<\/p>\n Banchero (39 pts on 15-of-26 shooting) and Cunningham (37 pts on 11-of-21 shooting) are summoning memories of Larry Bird and Dominique Wilkins as they go back-and-forth.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n 106-98 Detroit with 5:45 to go in the fourth.<\/p>\n APRIL 29, 2026 \/ 9:11 ET<\/p>\n Cavaliers strike back with 8-0 run<\/p>\n Cutting the Raptors\u2019 advantage to 79-75 with 9:42 to go in the third quarter.<\/p>\n Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen have scored so far in the third quarter, giving Cleveland fresh life.<\/p>\n APRIL 29, 2026 \/ 9:02 ET<\/p>\n Raptors lead 74-67 at the half<\/p>\n Ja\u2019Kobe Walter (17 pts, 5 3PM) leads five double figures scorers for the Raptors after going scoreless in Game 3.<\/p>\n Toronto\u2019s shooting 65.2% from the field, with a 17-2 advantage in fast break points.<\/p>\n James Harden (19 pts) and Donovan Mitchell (11 pts) are the only Cavaliers to really get going so far, as the Raptors have earned a 32-20 advantage in the paint.<\/p>\n APRIL 29, 2026 \/ 8:58 ET<\/p>\n Anthony Black stepping up<\/p>\n Black (14 pts on 3-of-4 3PA) just drilled a corner 3-pointer, becoming the second-leading scorer for the Magic.<\/p>\n It\u2019s his series-high, as this is the first time he\u2019s cracked double figures against Detroit.<\/p>\n 87-76 Pistons with 2:45 to go in the third.<\/p>\n APRIL 29, 2026 \/ 8:50 ET<\/p>\n Pistons and Magic dueling<\/p>\n 76-71 Detroit with 5:17 to go in the third quarter.<\/p>\n Cade Cunningham (30 pts) and Paolo Banchero (25 pts) are continuing their duel, showing the skills of former No. 1 picks.<\/p>\n Cunningham\u2019s chasing the Pistons\u2019 all-time Playoff scoring record \u2014 44 points, held by Dave Bing.<\/p>\n Both teams are hot from deep tonight \u2014 10-of-22 (45.5%) for Orlando, 7-of-15 (46.7%) for Detroit \u2014 adding some unexpected offensive flavor to this engagement.<\/p>\n APRIL 29, 2026 \/ 8:39 ET<\/p>\n Raptors surge ahead<\/p>\n With an 8-0 run, taking a 62-54 lead with 6:10 left in the second quarter.<\/p>\n Scottie Barnes (14 pts, 8 ast) has shifted to the point guard role comfortably, cueing the Raptors\u2019 offense. They have four scorers in double figures, even while Brandon Ingram (1 pt) looks to get going. As a team, they\u2019re shooting 66.7% from the field.<\/p>\n APRIL 29, 2026 \/ 8:26 ET<\/p>\n Pistons up 66-60 at the half<\/p>\n Cade Cunningham (27 pts on 8-of-14 shooting) and Paolo Banchero (22 pts, 5 reb, 4 ast) are dueling in Detroit, with the Pistons\u2019 season on the line.<\/p>\n Cade and Paolo were COOKING in the 1st half \ud83d\udd25<\/p>\n Cunningham: 27p (20 in Q2) The two former No. 1 picks are battling in Game 5! pic.twitter.com\/7xzgzwJcY2<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NBA (@NBA) April 30, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n APRIL 29, 2026 \/ 8:18 ET<\/p>\n Cavaliers up 38-34 after one<\/p>\n Thanks to a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from Donovan Mitchell (6 pts) from 38 feet.<\/p>\n The Raptors led by as many 12 in the first period, but the Cavaliers closed strong to take the lead.<\/p>\n Spida from DEEP.<\/p>\n 11-4 Cavs run to close Q1!<\/p>\n Tune in to this CRUCIAL Game 5 on ESPN \ud83c\udf7f pic.twitter.com\/z2uc8bsARu<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NBA (@NBA) April 30, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n APRIL 29, 2026 \/ 8:08 ET<\/p>\n Cavs on a 14-2 run<\/p>\n Cutting the Raptors lead to 27-24 with 2:57 to go in the first quarter.<\/p>\n Sandro Mamukelashvili (3 pts) just cooly hit a 3-pointer, validating our pick-to-click analysis, while James Harden (11 pts) is off to a hot start.<\/p>\n APRIL 29, 2026 \/ 8:04 ET<\/p>\n Feistiness in Magic-Pistons<\/p>\n Desmond Bane and Ausar Thompson just got entangled, prompting the Pistons and Magic to go chest-to-chest.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is the way Playoff basketball should be,\u201d said Stan Van Gundy. \u201cEspecially when you get to Game 5\u2026 the first few games, you\u2019re just playing basketball. Now, you\u2019re tired of the other people.\u201d<\/p>\n 50-41 Pistons with 5:37 to go in the half.<\/p>\n APRIL 29, 2026 \/ 7:44 ET<\/p>\n Donovan Mitchell and Scottie Barnes lead the Cavaliers and Raptors into a pivotal Game 5 tonight on ESPN.<\/p>\n Toronto:<\/p>\n PG Scottie Barnes<\/p>\n The Raptors do-it-all wing shifts to the point tonight. He\u2019s averaging 20.0 ppg and 6.3 apg in this series.<\/p>\n SG Ja\u2019Kobe Walter<\/p>\n The Baylor alumni had seven rebounds and three steals in Game 3 as he entered the starting lineup.<\/p>\n SF Brandon Ingram<\/p>\n Ingram\u2019s shooting just 33.9% from the field in this series.<\/p>\n PF RJ Barrett<\/p>\n The former No. 3 pick is shooting 47.6% from 3-point range in this series \u2014 a huge factor for the Raptors.<\/p>\n C Jakob Poetl<\/p>\n Poetl has to continue to hold up against the Cavs\u2019 front line of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.<\/p>\n Cleveland:<\/p>\n PG James Harden<\/p>\n Harden is playing in his 178th career Playoff game \u2014 one behind Michael Jordan for 20th all-time.<\/p>\n SG Donovan Mitchell<\/p>\n Spida\u2019s averaged 17.5 ppg over the last two games, both Cavs\u2019 losses, well below his season average of 27.9 ppg.<\/p>\n SF Max Strus<\/p>\n The sharpshooter shifts into the starting lineup for Game 5. He\u2019s averaging 11.5 ppg on 43.5% 3-point shooting in the series.<\/p>\n PF Evan Mobley<\/p>\n Mobley\u2019s defensive impact has limited Brandon Ingram in this series. His length and shiftiness are hard to find in someone his size. But he could step up his offensive impact \u2014 it\u2019s always huge for Cleveland.<\/p>\n C Jarrett Allen<\/p>\n Allen is averaging 8.8 ppg in this series \u2014 he\u2019ll need to find his chemistry with James Harden on the pick-and-roll to make things comfortable for Cleveland.<\/p>\n Keep an eye on Sandro Mamukelashvili off the Raptors\u2019 bench. The former Spurs big man has looked very comfortable dealing with the Playoff stage.<\/p>\n APRIL 29, 2026 \/ 7:39 ET<\/p>\n Detroit up 38-26 after one<\/p>\n Cade puts the \u203c\ufe0f on a huge Pistons’ opening quarter!<\/p>\n They lead 38-26 in a MUST-WIN Game 5. pic.twitter.com\/nfkikMckdX<\/a><\/p>\n
\nThese series will return on Friday with a tripleheader on Prime.<\/p>\n
\nRaptors-Cavaliers, 7:30 ET
\nLakers-Rockets, 9:30 ET<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/lebron-hou2-1568x882.jpg\")
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Banchero: 22p, 5r, 4a<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/mitchell3-1568x882.jpg\")
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