In a stunning turn of events, the Los Angeles Lakers took down the Houston Rockets 107-98 in the first game of their playoff series, with LeBron James leading the charge with 19 points and 13 assists. Meanwhile, Luke Kennard made history with a 27-point game, the second-highest points scored by a player in their Lakers postseason debut. The Lakers capitalized on Kevin Durant's injury, but the highly anticipated matchup between James and Durant will have to wait. James emphasized his role as a triple threat, saying, "I gotta do a little bit of everything, that's what the job requires." The game also marked a special moment for James, as he shared the court with his son, Bronny James, in the playoffs for the first time.
The Lakers' victory was fueled by their 60.6% shooting percentage, while the Rockets struggled with 37.6% shooting. Game two is set to take place on April 22, live on Sky Sports.
In other playoff news, the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Toronto Raptors 126-113, thanks in part to Max Strus and James Harden's combined 46 points. The Denver Nuggets also secured a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, with Nikola Jokic's impressive 25-point triple-double.
The New York Knicks took the lead in their series against the Atlanta Hawks, with Jalen Brunson scoring 28 points and seven assists. The 2026 NBA playoffs continue on Sky Sports, with four games scheduled for April 19, including the Philadelphia 76ers vs.
Boston Celtics and the Phoenix Suns vs. Oklahoma City Thunder.