Ime Udoka calls out Rockets after brutal loss to Lakers: ‘Grow up’

The Rockets had it. Game in hand. Series momentum, too.

Then it slipped. Fast.

Leading by six with under 30 seconds left, Houston unraveled and fell to the Lakers, 112-108 in overtime Friday.

Instead of getting back in the series, the Rockets are now staring at elimination.

“Horrendous mistakes,” coach Ime Udoka told reporters. “I don’t know if you want to say youth or scared of the moment, or whatever the case.”

It turned in a blink.

After back-to-back turnovers by LeBron James, Houston pushed the lead to 101-95. From there, it was all Lakers.

Marcus Smart was fouled on a three and hit all three free throws. Then came the backbreaker. James stripped Reed Sheppard and buried a three to tie it with 13 seconds left.

“It was a stupid turnover,” Sheppard admitted. “I should have made the simple play.”

Houston still had chances. Alperen Sengun missed a potential go-ahead shot. James missed at the buzzer. Overtime followed.

By then, the damage was done.

Closing games has been an issue for Houston all season. It showed up again when it mattered most.

“It’s obviously a weakness of ours to close out and finish,” Udoka said. “The amount of mistakes … you can’t have those.”

Sengun did his part, finishing with 33 points and 16 rebounds. It wasn’t enough.

“We’ll be upset tonight,” he said. “But we’ve got to get over it.”

As for Kevin Durant, who missed his second straight game with an ankle injury, his status for Game 4 remains uncertain, per Udoka.

The message inside the locker room was clear.

“Grow up,” Udoka said he told his team.

Game 4 is Sunday in Houston. The Rockets don’t have much room left.