The Los Angeles Lakers pulled off a shocking 107-98 victory over the Houston Rockets in the first game of their playoff series, with LeBron James contributing 19 points and 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 stated, 'My role requires me to do a bit of everything, whether it's rebounding, passing, shooting, or defending, to bring value to the team.' The game also marked a special moment for James, as he shared the court with his son, Bronny, in the playoffs for the first time. The Lakers' strong performance, which included hitting 60.6% of their shots, has set the tone for the series. Game two is scheduled for April 22. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers began their playoff campaign with a 126-113 win over the Toronto Raptors, thanks in part to the combined efforts of Max Strus and James Harden, who scored 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.