Ime Udoka Flames Kevin Durant-Less Rockets For Gifting Game 3 to LeBron James’ Lakers

Ime Udoka called out his players after a late-game collapse in Game 3 against the Lakers.

Ime Udoka Flames Kevin Durant-Less Rockets For Gifting Game 3 to LeBron James’ Lakers

Ime Udoka dished on tactics after ending 15-game losing streak to Warriors

In Short
  • The Houston Rockets are down 3-0 in their playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers after a fourth-quarter collapse in Game 3.
  • Head coach Ime Udoka criticized his team's mistakes, emphasizing the need for maturity and experience in high-pressure situations.
  • Player Alperen Sengun remains optimistic, stating the series is not over and they believe they can still make a comeback.

The Houston Rockets, led by head coach Ime Udoka, are on the brink of a first-round exit as they find themselves 3-0 down against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Rockets had the game in their hands, but they committed some poor mistakes that cost them at the end of regulation time in Game 3.

With 30 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the Rockets were leading 101-95. But they spectacularly blew their lead and saw the Lakers tie it at the end, sending it to overtime. The Lakers took their chances and came out with a 112-108 win at the Toyota Center on Friday night.

After the game, Udoka was left absolutely livid and went off on his team.

Horrendous mistakes. I don’t know if you want to say youth or scared of the moment or whatever the case. You have a six-point lead with 20 or 30 seconds to go, get a rebound, and just have to hold the ball and get fouled… throw it away.

Ime Udoka in his post-match press conference

Ime Udoka is well known for speaking his mind. He was fined for being critical of referees in press conferences before. Earlier this season, when the Rockets were going through some ups and downs, he did not shy away from calling out Alperen Sengun.

The Rockets’ head coach can be too harsh on his players. But after blowing a six-point lead with 30 seconds to go, he has every right to be livid. With Kevin Durant ruled out, they are a young and inexperienced playoff team, as they were missing their most experienced player.

Ime Udoka’s message to his players after Game 3

This is Ime Udoka’s third season as the head coach of the Rockets. After narrowly missing out on the playoffs in his first season, they made it to the first round of the playoffs last year after finishing second in the Western Conference standings. They were knocked out by the Golden State Warriors in seven games in the first round. Hence, they traded for Kevin Durant as they hoped for a deep run this year.

When asked what his message would be to his team after losing Game 3. Udoka said:

Grow up, and you’re not that young anymore. You’ve been to the playoffs once, and we watched every situation just now.

Ime Udoka in his post-match press conference

Udoka doesn’t want to use youth as an excuse. After getting some postseason experience last year, Udoka was hoping to see some maturity in his players, which was severely lacking at crunch time in Game 3.

Alperen Sengun believes the Houston Rockets can come back

It was a disappointing performance from the Rockets. The loss could affect the players, as the match was in their hands. They are now at risk of being clean swept in the first round.

Alperen Sengun
Alperen Sengun (Image credits – Fullcourtpass/X)

However, Alperen Sengun remains optimistic and believes they still have a chance.

We have another game Sunday. The series is not over. We still believe we can come back. Win Sunday in LA for game 5 then come back here again. Nobody is giving up. That’s what we’re going to do.

Alperen Sengun in his post-match press conference

With no Durant for two out of the three games in this series, Sengun has had to shoulder the majority of the scoring burden. In Game 3, he scored 33 points to go along with 16 rebounds. The Rockets will be hoping to see Durant back for Game 4 and will need the rest of the young guns to step up.

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