‘Horrendous mistakes’: Rockets choke Game 3 vs. Lakers in epic fashion

The collapse overshadowed what would have been a feel-good story for three key members of Houston’s young core. After falling behind by 15 points in the first half, the Durant-less Rockets rallied behind big games from:

• Alperen Sengun: 33 points, 16 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals; 15-of-27 shooting (55.6%)
• Amen Thompson: 26 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 3 blocks; 8-of-14 shooting (57.1%), 10-of-13 on free throws (76.9%)
• Jabari Smith Jr.: 24 points, 6 rebounds; 8-of-16 shooting (50.0%), 6-of-10 on 3-pointers (60.0%)

But it was a rough night from Reed Sheppard and Tari Eason, who combined to make just 8-of-30 shots overall (26.7%) and 4-of-17 from 3-point range (23.5%). Eason missed all four of his attempts from deep, while Sheppard had a team-high five turnovers — including the crippling one with about 20 seconds left.

“Obviously you’ve gotta watch it and you gotta learn from it,” Sheppard said postgame. “It sucks having to watch and re-run and go through it and talk about it, but you know that’s part of it — part of getting over (it) and getting better.”

James led the Lakers with 29 points (45.5% FG), 13 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals, though he did commit a game-high eight turnovers. The perennial All-Star connected on 4-of-9 shots (44.4%) from 3-point range, punctuated by the tying trey after Sheppard’s late turnover.

Sunday’s Game 4 tips off at 8:30 p.m. Central, and it will be televised and streamed to a national audience via NBC and Peacock. Udoka said after Game 3 that Durant would again be listed as questionable.

More: Rockets star Kevin Durant sits out Game 3 vs. Lakers with ankle sprain

This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: ‘Horrendous mistakes’: Rockets choke Game 3 vs. Lakers in epic fashion