Jabari Smith Jr. said the Houston Rockets had learned from their mistakes in Game 3 against the Los Angeles Lakers and "grew up" to ensure they extended the series. 

Smith finished with 22 points, including 4-of-9 from 3-point range (44.4%), and seven rebounds as Houston pulled away in a 99-93 victory in Los Angeles on Wednesday. 

With the win, the Rockets now trail the best-of-seven, first-round playoff series by a 3-2 margin, having found themselves 3-0 down and on the cusp of an early postseason exit. 

In Game 3, Houston led by six points with 30 seconds remaining, but costly turnovers by Smith and Reed Sheppard saw the Lakers emerge 112-108 victors in overtime. 

However, the fourth-year forward made amends this time around, and Smith believes the Rockets' latest win in the series has given the team a solid foundation to build on. 

"I think it was just a learning moment. And I feel like we grew up. We're growing up together," Smith said.

"And it's just good to see Reed bounce back from the mistake, me bounce back from the mistake.

"A week ago, we folded and lost the game, you know what I'm saying? So I think that's a step in the right direction."

Bari was on FULL display in LA

22 PTS | 7 REB | 3 AST | 2 BLK @MemorialHermann | #AllFire pic.twitter.com/y1P5zyIl5b

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) April 30, 2026

The Rockets are the 16th NBA team to force a Game 6 after trailing 3-0 in a best-of-seven series and the first since the Boston Celtics did so against the Miami Heat in 2023.

Boston went on to lose Game 7, and no team has ever progressed to the second round of the playoffs having found themselves 3-0 down in the series. 

But Houston coach Ime Udoka never had any doubts about his team's desire to come from three games down and give themselves a chance of progressing. 

He pointed to last year against the Golden State Warriors, when the Rockets were down 3-1 but rallied back to force a Game 7 before surrendering the series.

"We knew we were going to battle," Udoka said. "It's just showing growth in certain moments and progress in certain moments. And I think we did that."

For the Lakers, meanwhile, they must regroup if they intend to end the series in six games, but they will be wary of the Rockets' scoring power, having been outscored 514-509 in the series so far. 

LeBron James led the Lakers with 25 points and seven assists, and he was asked about the best way to handle a team that has a newfound confidence in the series, after Smith had said that Houston had been the better team in every game. 

"I don't care about s*** like that, bro," James said. "The game is won between the four lines. I don't give a damn. Who cares? Of course, you say it.

"What would you say [instead], 'Oh, we're not the better team'? Ask one of the young guys [in the locker room] that question. I'm too old for that s***."

While James was unfazed by Smith's remarks, he acknowledged the Lakers must improve if they are to progress. 

"Some of [our mistakes] were game-plan discipline, and some of them were just unforced errors," James added. "So, we got to be better in both areas."