Lakers Stun Rockets in Game One of Playoff Series

The Los Angeles Lakers pulled off a stunning 107-98 win over the Houston Rockets in the first game of their playoff series, with LeBron James scoring 19 points and providing 13 assists. Luke Kennard made history with a 27-point game, the second-highest score by a player in their Lakers postseason debut. The Lakers capitalized on Kevin Durant's injury absence, but the highly anticipated matchup between James and Durant will have to wait. 'I have to be able to do a little bit of everything,' James said, emphasizing his role as a triple threat on the court. The game was also a family affair, with James sharing the court with his son Bronny for the first time in a playoff game. The Lakers' victory was fueled by their strong shooting, with 60.6% of their shots finding the mark, while the Rockets struggled with 37.6% shooting. Game two is set for April 22. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers kicked off the 2026 playoffs with a 126-113 win over the Toronto Raptors, thanks in part to the combined efforts of Max Strus and James Harden. The Denver Nuggets also took the first game of their series with a 116-105 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, led by Nikola Jokic's 25-point triple-double. The New York Knicks took an early series lead with a 113-102 win over the Atlanta Hawks, driven by Jalen Brunson's 28 points and seven assists. The 2026 NBA playoffs continue on Sky Sports, with four games scheduled for April 19.