In a shocking turn of events, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Houston Rockets 107-98 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, but the highly anticipated matchup between James and Durant will have to wait. James emphasized the need to be versatile, 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%.
Game two is scheduled for April 22. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers started the 2026 playoffs with a 126-113 win over the Toronto Raptors, thanks to Max Strus and James Harden's combined 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 secured a 113-102 win over 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.