"Sometimes I Hate Watching the Lakers!" Shaquille O'Neal Blasts the Purple and Gold /VIDEO/

Pulse Sports Team 10:01 - 30 April 2026

The Rockets played with everything on the line, securing a victory in Los Angeles to cut the series deficit to 3-2 in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. Game 6 is set for Texas, overnight Friday into Saturday (3:30 AM CET).

NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal didn't hold back in his criticism of the Los Angeles Lakers after their 99-93 loss to the Houston Rockets in Game 5, highlighting a significant lack of intensity and a tendency towards "hero ball" in the game's closing moments.

Houston's victory extended the series, narrowing the Lakers' lead to 3-2. LeBron James led the Lakers with 25 points, but it ultimately wasn't enough to secure the win.

"Sometimes I hate watching the Lakers"

Shaquille O'Neal minced no words after the Los Angeles Lakers squandered their first opportunity to close out the series against the Houston Rockets.

"Sometimes I hate watching the Lakers because in the clutch, they try to play that 'hero basketball.' It's like, 'Okay, now we're going to start playing hard, and if we hit this three-pointer to tie it, it'll work.' That's not how it functions. LeBron knows and understands this, but these young guys need to grasp it. The crowd lacked energy, and they played without energy, without any intensity. They lacked focus, and I'm glad the Rockets beat them. We know what it takes to win a championship. LeBron knows that. I'm surprised they didn't come out with that kind of approach and effort; tonight, I'm extremely disappointed in the Lakers," Shaq explained on ESPN.