ClutchFans Game Thread: Lakers @ Rockets 4/24/2026 (Playoffs Round 1, Game 3)

Mistakes happen, tate has the worst one.

DD

 

Please draft this kid. Behind Fred I believe

 

I could not comment yesterday. I had to let it sit for a night to clear my head. I was already not invested in the outcome of this series, but boy, oh boy.

A comedy of sad errors. Massive mistake by Jabari on the outlet pass, a massive mistake by Tate for being drawn into fouling Smart, and a massive mistake by IME to inbound the ball to Reed, knowing they would double and try to steal it (and frankly, he was too inexperienced and too physically small to handle that pressure). I was hoping IME would put in Holiday, who is our best ball handler under pressure.

I know there is a lot of blame on the players, but this is a team that has lacked situational awareness, composure, execution, and clearly defined roles all year. It has been an experimental year, I get it, but this is 100% on the coaching staff. The young players, and even the older veterans, are not well coached or well prepared. In the playoffs, where every possession matters and playing the right way is emphasized, all of these mistakes, unclear roles, and failures to prepare players for pressure situations are magnified.

 

Based on a season and a series….

 

This was troubling af

He is Asian and played at an Ivy League? sign me up. 10,000,000 more fans from Canada and Korea sign up to the board. The lack of bench production was so glaring from the start of the season to just say it's not our year and sit idle should be firing worthy. If we were all young guys, you could turn the blind eye. But you got Durant to win. That move alone should be like a splash of cold water to your face on Feb 10th.

 

Do not want to relive the LOF wars and countless threads for a mediocre overhyped player, we have enough of that from Turkey to Kentucky

 

We win Game 3 because age is not on Lebron's side. Lakers gifted by the NBA to have 2 days in-between to Game 3, back in the 90s very rare unless travel from Pacific Ocean to Atlantic Ocean. Im betting Bronny Sr will be shooting outside and play a softer game. Knowing Sr., he would like to savor close out games at home where he will be cheered like a king. He doesnt have too many chances to that anymore. Game 4 is most important game of this series, see if Durant shows up in White Sox Cap, or in uniform. He will show just a matter of apparel preference of his choice. If he doesnt show up, ex-Rockets. No matter scenarios, damage done already with Batman and Robin cheering for Bronny and his teammates on road games. Same cant be said of #7.

In 1 series Durant went from being adored to being about to be exiled.

 

Remember this team had a nice win streak then Ime decided to undermine it for his ego.

 

^ this. The older I get, the more awareness on optional negative stimuli in my life.

This Rockets team is a regular season team. By playoffs, I can cut bait, or watch other teams' playoffs that are low stakes and stress/disappointment free.

 

this is why God invented the Meme Squad

 

Ime Udoka says burning clock was factor in that decision:

“Run clock and spread the court.”

“It's tough when, obviously, you have four guys in one area, you want to use the full court. We [wanted] to hold the ball, thought our spacing was perfect, had three guys down when they have want to come double, you have somebody for the outlet. So, all of the above. You always want someone to kind of streak downcourt, provide that opening that outlet in the backcourt.”

__________

More from Ime Udoka on Kevin Durant’s treatment during Game 3, whether he expected KD on Rockets’ bench:

“I wouldn't say expecting him or not. It's kind of a medical decision if they want to get that treatment in. Obviously once you're done with treatment you can come out [to the bench] or you can't, but at that point, like I said, he was getting some running in on the underwater treadmill and doing things of that nature.”

Adds Durant was, “Getting in the pool, trying to get some running in and do all those things to prepare yourself. Back there getting treatment and the ice and the things you obviously can't do on the bench.”

 

"he was getting some running in on the underwater treadmill and doing things of that nature.”

you know . . . "things of that nature".

 

I guess he got better because he wasn't good early on this season.

 

And the rockets are fav by 5.5 on Sunday lol

 

Has a team ever been swept where they were favored in every single game?

 

Is this good?

 

So he has us inbound the ball under our own basket because he wanted to
Run the clock?

this guy is so stupid

 

lol first comment