Lakers Pull Off Stunning Upset Over Rockets in Game One

The Los Angeles Lakers pulled off a shocking 107-98 win over the Houston Rockets in the opening 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. James emphasized the need for him to be a triple threat, contributing in multiple areas to bring value to the team. The game marked a special moment for James, as he shared the court with his son, Bronny, in the playoffs for the first time. 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. The series continues with game two on April 22, live on Sky Sports. Meanwhile, other playoff games saw the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Toronto Raptors, the Denver Nuggets defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the New York Knicks overcome the Atlanta Hawks. The 2026 NBA playoffs will 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.