Udoka gives team powerful message

Udoka gives team powerful message originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Houston Rockets appeared to have everything under control late in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers. Leading by six points with under 30 seconds remaining, Houston was poised to secure its first win of the series and shift momentum. Instead, a stunning collapse sent the game into overtime, where the Rockets ultimately fell 112-108, leaving them on the brink of elimination.

What should have been a breakthrough moment quickly turned into a harsh lesson in late-game execution. Costly turnovers, missed defensive assignments, and poor decision-making allowed the Lakers to claw back in the final seconds of regulation. The Rockets’ inability to close out the game highlighted a recurring issue for a young team still learning how to manage high-pressure situations.

Head coach Ime Udoka did not hold back in his postgame assessment. “Horrendous mistakes,” Udoka said, clearly frustrated by his team’s performance down the stretch. He dismissed the idea that inexperience should serve as an excuse, delivering a blunt message to his players. “I don’t know if you want to say youth or scared of the moment or whatever the case… grow up. You’re not that young anymore.”

Rockets collapse late

The loss puts Houston in a difficult position, now trailing in the series and facing elimination if they cannot quickly regroup. While the team has shown flashes of potential throughout the season, this game underscored the gap between potential and execution—especially in the playoffs, where every possession carries added weight.