In a stunning turn of events, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Houston Rockets 107-98 in the opening game of their first-round playoff series. LeBron James delivered an impressive performance, scoring 19 points and providing 13 assists. However, it was Luke Kennard who made history for the Lakers, scoring 27 points - the second-highest tally for a player in their postseason debut for the team.
Kennard's achievement is all the more notable given that he only joined the Lakers from Atlanta in February. The Lakers capitalized on the absence of Kevin Durant, who was sidelined due to injury, but the highly anticipated matchup between James and Durant will have to wait.
James emphasized the need for him to be a versatile player, stating, 'I gotta do a little bit of everything, that's what the job requires.' He also reflected on the unpredictable nature of the playoffs, saying, 'I've been in every situation you'd ever imagine as a basketball player, so there's nothing that can surprise me.' The game was also notable for being the first time James shared the court with his son, Bronny, in a playoff game. The Lakers' victory was built on their strong shooting, with the team hitting 60.6% of their shots, while the Rockets struggled with 37.6% shooting. The next game in the series is scheduled 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 secured a win, with Nikola Jokic starring in their 116-105 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. The New York Knicks took an early series lead with a 113-102 win over the Atlanta Hawks, led by Jalen Brunson's 28 points and seven assists. The 2026 NBA playoffs continue on Sky Sports, with four games scheduled for April 19.