In a stunning turn of events, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Houston Rockets 107-98 in the first game of their playoff series, thanks in large part to LeBron James' impressive 19 points and 13 assists. Luke Kennard also 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, but the highly anticipated matchup between James and Durant will have to wait. James stated, 'I have to do a little bit of everything, it's about being a triple threat and bringing value to the team.' The game was also notable for James sharing the court with his son, Bronny, 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%. Game two is set to take place on April 22. In other playoff news, the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Toronto Raptors 126-113, with Max Strus and James Harden combining for 46 points.
Nikola Jokic led the Denver Nuggets to a 116-105 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves with a 25-point triple-double. The New York Knicks also took the lead in their series with a 113-102 win over the Atlanta Hawks, thanks to Jalen Brunson's 28 points and seven assists. The 2026 NBA playoffs continue on Sky Sports with four games scheduled for April 19.