The Los Angeles Lakers opened the 2026 NBA Playoffs with a 107-98 win over the Houston Rockets on Sunday at Crypto.com Arena, taking a 1-0 lead in their best-of-seven first-round series.
Los Angeles entered the game as an underdog after losing Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves to multi-week injuries, but the outlook shifted when Houston ruled Kevin Durant out shortly before tip-off with a right knee contusion.
Game flow
The Lakers jumped in front early and carried a two-point advantage into halftime. They widened the gap in the third quarter, then held off a late Rockets surge to secure the victory.
Key performers
• Luke Kennard, elevated to a larger role by head coach JJ Redick, paced Los Angeles with 27 points on 9-of-13 shooting and a perfect 5-for-5 at the foul line. The veteran guard drilled several fourth-quarter three-pointers that pushed the margin into double digits. He also collected four rebounds and three assists.
• LeBron James delivered a versatile performance, finishing with 19 points, eight rebounds, 13 assists, two steals and one block. James handed out eight assists in the opening quarter before shifting to low-post scoring as the game progressed.
• Deandre Ayton added 19 points, 11 rebounds and two assists, giving the Lakers consistent production in the paint.
Up next
Game 2 is scheduled for Tuesday in Los Angeles. The series then shifts to Houston for Games 3 and 4 on Friday and Sunday, respectively.
Source: LakersNation.com
