Who was the last NBA team to force Game 7 after facing 3-0 series deficit

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Abdullah Imran, ClutchPoints

Thu, April 30, 2026 at 2:58 PM UTC ·

2 min read

Who was the last NBA team to force Game 7 after facing 3-0 series deficit appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .

The Houston Rockets have pushed their NBA first-round playoff series to a Game 6 after taking down the Los Angeles Lakers 99-93 in Game 5 on Wednesday night, clawing back to 3-2 and keeping alive a historically rare comeback bid from a 3-0 hole.

Houston’s response comes after a late collapse in Game 3 left them three games behind, a deficit no team in NBA history has ever overcome to win a playoff series. However, the Rockets have already extended the series beyond expectations. They are the 16th team to force a Game 6 after falling behind 3-0, and just the latest to keep faint hopes alive. Only four of 159 teams in league history to face a 3-0 deficit have managed even to reach a Game 7. The last team to do so was the Boston Celtics during the 2023 Eastern Conference finals against the Miami Heat .

In Game 5, Houston relied on balanced production and defensive intensity. Jabari Smith Jr. led the scoring with 22 points, while Tari Eason scored 18. Alperen Sengun contributed 14 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists, helping offset the continued absence of Kevin Durant , who has missed four of five games in the series due to knee and ankle injuries. The Rockets have now gone 6-2 this season without Durant, including both wins in this series.

Houston’s defense came up clutch, forcing 15 Los Angeles turnovers, 10 via steals, and holding the Lakers to 93 points on 32-of-76 shooting (42.1%).

Los Angeles, led by LeBron James (25 points, seven assists), also received 22 points and six assists from Austin Reaves in his return from a nine-game absence. Deandre Ayton finished with 18 points and 17 rebounds, but the Lakers’ inefficiency and turnovers hurt them.

The Rockets’ offensive improvement has come largely from increased three-point volume and efficiency. After struggling early in the series, Houston shot 12-of-30 (40%) from deep in Game 4 and followed it with 14-of-40 (35%) in Game 5. The Rockets also leaned on a committee approach, with five players scoring in double figures, compared to a more top-heavy attack from Los Angeles.

A game-changing sequence came late in the fourth quarter when rookie Reed Sheppard hit a mid-range jumper and followed it with a steal and dunk off James, widening the lead and ensuring the win.

The series now shifts back to Houston for Game 6 on Friday, with the Rockets looking to become just the fifth team in NBA history to force a Game 7 after being down 3-0.