The Los Angeles Lakers pulled off a stunning upset in the opening contest of their first‑round playoff series, edging the Houston Rockets 107‑98. LeBron James contributed a solid 19 points along with 13 assists, but it was the newly acquired sharpshooter Luke Kennard who etched his name into Lakers lore.
Kennard poured in 27 points, marking the second‑highest scoring effort ever recorded by a player in their Lakers postseason debut and setting a personal playoff high after his February trade from Atlanta. The Lakers were able to exploit the Rockets' misfortune of missing Kevin Durant, who sat out with a lingering knee injury, extending the eight‑year wait for a postseason showdown between the two superstars. "I have to do a little bit of everything, that's what the job requires," James said in the post‑game interview. "Being a triple‑threat means rebounding, passing, shooting, defending and always looking for ways to add value for the team.
It's a game‑to‑game battle, and I don't plan my moves in advance; the only thing I control is my preparation." Both clubs entered the game without key contributors. The Rockets were without Luka Doncic, sidelined indefinitely after an injury on April 2, while the Lakers missed Austin Reaves for the same reason. Durant was a late scratch due to a bruised right knee, leaving the Rockets shorthanded.
A historic moment unfolded for James as he shared the playoff floor with his son, Bronny James, marking the first time a father‑son duo has played together in an NBA postseason game. James reflected on the surreal experience: "This year has been full of crazy moments. Playing a playoff game with my son is probably the wildest thing in my career.
Having my wife, daughter, mom, and grandma in the arena made it even more special. My mom gets to watch both her son and grandson compete in the playoffs – that's unbelievable." Los Angeles shot an efficient 60.6 percent from the field, while the Rockets struggled to 37.6 percent, thanks in large part to the Lakers' aggressive defensive pressure.
The next game is scheduled for 3:30 a.m. BST on April 22, broadcast live on Sky Sports, with Durant expected to make his playoff debut then after recovering from his knee issue. Elsewhere in the 2026 postseason, the Cleveland Cavaliers opened their series against the Toronto Raptors with a 126‑113 triumph, snapping a trio of consecutive defeats to the Canadians earlier in the season. Max Strus, returning from a long injury layoff, teamed up with recent acquisition James Harden to combine for 46 points, providing the spark the Cavs needed to secure the win on home court.
In the Western Conference, the Denver Nuggets claimed a 116‑105 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, propelled by Nikola Jokić's dominant 25‑point triple‑double. Jokić's all‑around performance reaffirmed his status as one of the league's most versatile big men and gave the Nuggets an early series edge. The New York Knicks also enjoyed a successful start, defeating the Atlanta Hawks 113‑102. The game hung in the balance at halftime, but the Knicks pulled away in the third quarter.
Jalen Brunson led the charge with 28 points and seven assists, steering New York to an early series lead and showcasing his clutch scoring ability. The 2026 NBA playoffs continue to roll out on Sky Sports this Sunday, April 19, beginning at 6 p.m. BST, with four matchups featured on Sky Sports Action.
The schedule, all listed in British Summer Time, is as follows: 6 p.m. – Philadelphia 76ers (7) @ Boston Celtics (2) 8:30 p.m. – Phoenix Suns (8) @ Oklahoma City Thunder (1) 11 p.m. – Orlando Magic (8) @ Detroit Pistons (1) 2 a.m.
– Portland Trail Blazers (7) @ San Antonio Spurs (2) Sky Sports will also broadcast the entire Western Conference Finals live starting May 20, providing fans with comprehensive coverage of the road to the NBA championship.