Lakers Stun Rockets in Playoff Opener as LeBron and Kennard Shine Without Durant
The LA Lakers stunned the Houston Rockets with a 107-98 victory in game one of their first-round playoff series on April 22. LeBron James led the charge with 19 points and 13 assists, but it was Luke Kennard who stole the spotlight, scoring 27 points in his Lakers postseason debut, marking the second-most points ever scored by a player in their Lakers playoff debut. The Lakers capitalized on the absence of Kevin Durant, who missed the game due to a bruised right knee, extending the anticipation of seeing him face off against James in the playoffs. Both teams were without their key players, as Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves have been sidelined with injuries since early April. James expressed his adaptability on the court, stating, "I gotta do a little bit of everything, that's what the job requires." He emphasized his role as a triple threat, contributing in various aspects of the game. A notable moment for James came when he shared the court with his son, Bronny James, in a playoff game for the first time, a milestone he described as one of the craziest experiences of his career. The Lakers showcased impressive shooting, hitting 60.6% of their shots while limiting the Rockets to just 37.6%. In other playoff action, the Cleveland Cavaliers triumphed over the Toronto Raptors with a score of 126-113, and the Denver Nuggets secured a 116-105 victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The New York Knicks also took game one against the Atlanta Hawks, winning 113-102.
Source: Sky Sports - 2026-04-19