The energy during NBA playoff games is usually among the most electric in sports, especially when a team has a chance to advance.
However, the Los Angeles Lakers’ crowd seemed rather silent and unenthused during the team’s Game 5 clash against the Houston Rockets, and the NBA world took notice.
Lakers Fans Get Roasted for Lackluster Energy
With a spot in the conference semifinals on the line and Austin Reaves making his triumphant return, the Lakers needed a boost to put the Rockets away for good in Game 5.
With the game being played at Crypto.com Arena, surely their fans would give them some energy to feed off of, right? Wrong. That should have been the case, but the fans in attendance seemed like they were on mute.
The game started to slip away from the Lakers during the second quarter, and the crowd’s energy seemed to disappear along with the team’s grasp on the game.
The energy was so low that several NBA analysts and creators pointed it out.
”Lakers crowd is absolutely pathetic, it’s a close out game!!!” one NBA observer said.
Lakers crowd is absolutely pathetic, it’s a close out game!!!
— Just Ty (@FethrShortOfFly) April 30, 2026
“Lakers got one of the worst playoff home court crowds in the league. It almost sounds like I’m watching a scrimmage with how quiet their crowd is,” an influencer added.
”The Lakers home crowd could be the worst in the NBA. Zero energy. Stadium sounds empty. This is a playoff game,” added another content creator.
The Lakers home crowd could be the worst in the NBA.
Zero energy. Stadium sounds empty.
This is a playoff game.
Nice work Adam!
— THE PREMIUM (@GamblersDream) April 30, 2026
“Lakers made a shot and it sounds like an auditorium with five people clapping,” ClutchPoints reporter Brett Siegel posted.
It was so bad that Siegel asked if it could be an issue with the broadcast: “Does ESPN have the crowd in Los Angeles on mute tonight or are they just dead? What’s going on?”
Does ESPN have the crowd in Los Angeles on mute tonight or are they just dead? What’s going on?
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) April 30, 2026
After outscoring the visiting team 28-21 in the opening frame, Los Angeles faltered in the second quarter, and its early lead disappeared. When the halftime buzzer sounded, they found themselves trailing 47-51.
From there, the Rockets remained on top. At certain points during the third and fourth quarters, their lead grew to double digits. Los Angeles’ players, to their credit, made a valiant comeback effort.
However, it wasn’t enough, as the Rockets held on to win in enemy territory 99-93.
The Lakers still have the 3-2 series lead, but now the series shifts back to Houston for a pivotal Game 6 in front of Rockets fans.
It’s not the Lakers fault at all. I’m guessing big companies buy tickets an hand them off to non NBA fans. To them it’s just a night out. Watch what happens in Houstain in the next two games. The noise is going to be defining and team spirit going through roof.