LOS ANGELES — April 18, 2026 — The Los Angeles Lakers struck first in their opening-round series, defeating the Houston Rockets 107-98 at Crypto.com Arena despite playing without injured starters Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Houston removed Kevin Durant from its lineup shortly before tip-off because of a right knee contusion, but Lakers head coach JJ Redick said the late development did not affect his team’s preparation. “You can’t worry about who’s in or out,” Redick remarked after the game. “It’s our game plan, our standards, and how we play. I thought our guys met the moment.”
Redick credited the win to a “next-play mentality,” noting that Los Angeles maintained composure while committing 20 turnovers and allowing several offensive rebounds. The Lakers forced 13 Rocket giveaways and finished 17-of-26 at the free-throw line.
Durant’s absence eliminated the need for certain defensive schemes, Redick added, but the coach emphasized that the Lakers simply “scrapped that and moved on” to the rest of their scouting report.
Los Angeles, widely considered an underdog once the injuries to Doncic and Reaves were announced, continued the post-All-Star resilience that helped the club secure a postseason berth. Guard Luke Kennard said the locker room still believes it can upend Houston. “There’s always a chance,” he told reporters.
Game 2 is scheduled for Monday in Houston, where the Lakers will try to clean up turnovers and free-throw shooting while the Rockets await an update on Durant’s knee.
Source: LakersNation.com
