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Alperen Şengün led the Houston Rockets to a stunning 110-98 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on May 1, forcing a historic Game 7 in Houston. The Rockets have clawed back from a 3-0 series deficit, the first team ever to force a Game 7 after falling behind three games to none.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Final Score: Rockets 110, Lakers 98 on May 1, 2026
- Series Status: Rockets 3, Lakers 3 (Game 7 locked in Houston)
- Şengün Performance: 19 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists in Game 6
- Historic Feat: First team in NBA playoff history to force Game 7 after 3-0 deficit
Şengün Takes Control in Biggest Game of Series
Alperen Şengün proved why he’s become the Rockets’ offensive engine in these playoffs. The Turkish center dominated both ends of the floor with 19 points and 10 rebounds, refusing to let the Lakers close out the series. LeBron James and the Lakers had their chances, but Houston’s young core showed championship poise.
Şengün is averaging 21.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game through the series, establishing himself as one of basketball’s rising superstars. His leadership in Game 6 kept the Rockets alive when elimination stared them in the face.
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Lakers Stumble Fresh Off Victory at Home
The Lakers entered Game 6 with a 3-2 series lead and home court advantage, but Houston’s suffocating defense never allowed them to establish rhythm. Austin Reaves and the supporting cast couldn’t generate the offensive firepower needed to put the game away. The purple and gold shot just 38 percent from the field as Rockets pressure mounted.
LeBron James carried a heavy offensive load but lacked scoring support throughout Game 6. The Lakers front office faces a critical decision after their historic collapse from a comfortable 3-0 series lead.
Rockets Bench Provides Historic Spark
| Category | Rockets | Lakers |
| Final Score | 110 | 98 |
| Field Goal % | 45% | 38% |
| Bench Points | 32 | 18 |
| Rebounds | 48 | 42 |
“We knew we had to play perfect basketball and execute every possession. Our defense suffocated them when it mattered most.”
— Alperen Şengün, Houston Rockets Center
What Makes This Comeback So Extraordinary?
The Rockets‘ resurrection from 0-3 down ranks among the greatest playoff collapses ever surrendered. The Lakers now face the possibility of becoming the first NBA team to lose a 3-0 series lead in the opening round. Houston’s depth, Şengün’s star power, and LeBron’s injury concerns have all contributed to this stunning turn.
Game 7 will be played in Houston on May 3, 2026, at Toyota Center, giving the Rockets a home crowd advantage in the most important game of their season. The winner advances to the second round.
Can the Rockets Complete the Most Historic NBA Comeback Ever?
Houston has defied every expectation to reach this moment, with Alperen Şengün emerging as the breakthrough star this franchise needed. A Game 7 victory would cement the Rockets as a legitimate championship contender. The Lakers cannot afford another collapse, but history suggests that momentum swings hard in Houston.
Everything is on the line. The NBA is ready for the most dramatic conclusion to any first-round series in modern basketball history.
Sources
- ESPN – Rockets 110, Lakers 98 (May 1, 2026) Game Recap and Box Score
- NBA.com – Official 2026 Western Conference First Round Lakers vs Rockets Series Coverage
- Yahoo Sports – Alperen Şengün playoff performance analysis and series highlights
