LOS ANGELES (AP) — Luke Kennard scored a career playoff-high 27 points, LeBron James had 19 points and 13 assists, and the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers capitalized on Kevin Durant's injury absence for a 107-98 victory over the Houston Rockets in the opener of their first-round playoff series on Saturday night.

The Los Angeles Lakers, after an upset win on their home court, will host the Houston Rockets on Monday in Game 2 of their NBA playoffs 2026

LeBron James says it took being a "triple threat" to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a playoff-opening win over the Houston Rockets despite missing Austin Reaves and Luka Dončić to injury.

Despite the late change to Houston’s lineup, the Lakers stayed composed and delivered one of their strongest all-around performances of the season. Luke Kennard scored a career playoff-high 27 points, LeBron James added 19 points and 13 assists, and Deandre Ayton finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds.

The Lakers could actually win this thing.  They went from being the quivering dogs in the corner to becoming wolves. The transformation happened 1 ½ hours before tipoff when they

How influential will Deandre Ayton be in these playoffs? is a question a lot of people are asking Lakers coach JJ Redick.

The tale of the tape in the Houston Rockets’ opening round postseason matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers was one that hinged on health. Especially heading into the series. T

The Los Angeles Lakers have plenty on their plate right now with the playoffs in full swing and Luka Doncic sidelined with a hamstring injury. But on Monday after practice, Jaxson Hayes had some good news to share that had nothing to do with the Houston Rockets series.