NBA Season/Playoffs 2025-26

[SparzWizard]

Lol, Durant out for Game 3 with a sprained left ankle.

Might as well throw in the towel

I saw some wondering how badly Durant was hurt after missing Gm 1 and playing so badly in Gm 2 (9 turnovers). That he was and is more hurt than they have been letting on.

Insane that Houston was still -8.5 and then -6.5 after KD out announcement. LAL should be the clear favorites this series with how bad Houston is overall

LeBron is pretty clearly the best player in this series and it isnt close (and that includes KD).  He is just so much better than anyone on the Rockets and he is still so good at directing an offense. Makes lesser talented players look much more talented then they are.  Obviously they need Luka against the Thunder, but if Luka is back I wouldn't count the Lakers out in that series.

Esp with Jalen Williams out with the hamstring injury, their upset chances increases

[Who]

Yikes. SVG said Sheppard was 9-36 FGA for the series (25%). I am a few minutes behind the live action. I started at halftime after the C's game.

HOU needs Sheppard to show up on offense. Especially without Durant. He is their best overall shooter. He is their best shooter off the dribble. They need his shot-making.

[Who]

Smart with 6pts 7ast and 4 steals. Another big game.

[Phantom255x]

The Rockets don't have KD but man watching their offense is like a getting a root canal. Also, has Houston had a lead at any point this series? Maybe they have but it doesn't feel like it. LAL has been holding a 3 to 10 point lead almost every single time I tune in or check the ESPN gamecast, they are just controlling it and HOU is just annoyingly trailing them all the way. Brutal.

[Who]

SVG said Houston are a -29 when Sengun is on the bench. They are actually a +6 with him on the floor despite him not playing that well by his standards.

They are falling apart whenever he is not on the court.

[Phantom255x]

The Rockets don't have KD but man watching their offense is like a getting a root canal. Also, has Houston had a lead at any point this series? Maybe they have but it doesn't feel like it. LAL has been holding a 3 to 10 point lead almost every single time I tune in or check the ESPN gamecast, they are just controlling it and HOU is just annoyingly trailing them all the way. Brutal.

And here we go. Rockets creep up and are now down 4.

Here comes a 6-0 Lakers run or something

[Who]

I can't get over Aaron Holiday. He has bulked up so much. He was a little guard. However, his offensive game has disappeared. He used to have the quickness to blow by people. Not seeing it at all in these games.

Not sure that bulking up has helped him. Improved his defense by wrecked his offense.

[Goldstar88]

Sengun needs to get on the Jokic diet. He?s so slow.

[Who]

Tari Eason's offensive game is so mediocre.

He is a guy you would want to be stepping up with Durant out. Give them 17-20pts a night. Can't do it. 31pts total in his 3 games in this series. Can't provide proper floor spacing because his three ball isn't consistent enough. Can't be a connectivity player because his ball-handling and passing aren't good enough.

Guy is a drag on their offense.

[Phantom255x]

Sengun needs to get on the Jokic diet. He?s so slow.

Someone posted this under the original tweet and honestly both of them made me laugh so hard (click it and see - also the mayonnaise comment above) 

https://x.com/klipworthy/status/2045708107880562813

[Who]

SVG said early in Q4 that Houston are 26-93 from 3 for the series (28% 3PT).

Tough to win anything with shooting that bad. He said another statistic earlier but I didn't quite catch it. It was about their bench 3pt shooting. They have made little to no 3s all series. Brick city.

[Phantom255x]

The Rockets don't have KD but man watching their offense is like a getting a root canal. Also, has Houston had a lead at any point this series? Maybe they have but it doesn't feel like it. LAL has been holding a 3 to 10 point lead almost every single time I tune in or check the ESPN gamecast, they are just controlling it and HOU is just annoyingly trailing them all the way. Brutal.

And here we go. Rockets creep up and are now down 4.

Here comes a 6-0 Lakers run or something

Wow I'm shocked, HOU actually takes the lead now lol. Hopefully they hold it

[Who]

It is noticeable how big a difference there is when Ayton is defending Sengun rather than Jaxson Hayes. Hayes doesn't have the size / bulk to handle Sengun. Sengun looks comfortable against him. Using his strength / body on drives to carve up space and get into the paint. LAL have to give Hayes far more help to try and stop Sengun.

Ayton though. He can handle Sengun one-on-one. Ayton is such a capable and well rounded defender when he is fully committed.

[Who]

Houston are a 3 man team tonight - Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr, and Amen Thompson.

Nobody else is helping.

If any of their role players showed up and helped, they would win this game. Sheppard. Eason. Okogie. Jeff Green. DFS. Capela. A Holiday. Tate. Any of them.

All of their role players are crapping the bed.

[Who]

Sengun, Amen, Jabari = 73pts on 26-47 FGA 14-18 FTA.

Rest of team = 26pts on 9-37 FGA (24% FG) 3-5 FTA.