NBA: Lakers Lose Game 5 - Did The Lakers Lose Because They Didn't Play Bronny James?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss how the Lakers squandered a chance to close out the series against Houston and debate whether Los Angeles’ late-series struggles are more about execution and adjustments than rotation choices like Bronny James not playing or Austin Reaves returning from injury.

The Los Angeles Lakers missed a chance to close out their series, falling 99-93 to the Houston Rockets in Game 5 last night as Houston staved off elimination for the second straight game. LeBron James scored 25 points and Austin Reaves added 22 points in his return from an oblique injury that kept him out the last 9 games of the regular season. The loss is notable because Los Angeles had been up 3-1 and even 3-0 earlier in the series, putting them in prime position to advance, but Houston’s defensive pressure and improved three-point shooting have shifted the tone. Now the series sits at 3-2, with Game 6 heading back to Houston, meaning the Lakers still control things but have lost momentum and now face real pressure to avoid what would be a historic collapse if the Rockets continue their comeback push. Did the Lakers lose because they didn't play Bronny James? Did Austin Reaves return hurt the Lakers?