The Los Angeles Lakers pulled off a surprising 107-98 triumph over the Houston Rockets in the first game of their first‑round playoff series, a win that featured a solid 19 points and 13 assists from LeBron James. Yet the most historic performance belonged to newcomer Luke Kennard, who poured in 27 points—a tally that ranks as the second‑highest ever for a player in his inaugural Lakers postseason appearance and marks a personal playoff best since his trade from Atlanta in February. The Lakers were able to exploit the Rockets' misfortune of missing Kevin Durant, who sat out with a knee injury, extending the long‑awaited wait for a playoff showdown between the two superstars. James emphasized his versatile role, stating, "I have to do a little bit of everything; that's what the job demands.
I need to be a triple‑threat—rebounding, passing, shooting, defending—and find ways to add value for the team." He added that each game will unfold uniquely, noting, "I don't plan my actions in advance; the only thing I control is my preparation." When asked about the broader NBA schedule on Sky Sports, James reflected on his extensive experience, "I've been in every situation a basketball player can imagine, so nothing really surprises me." Both squads entered the opener without key contributors: the Rockets were without Luka Dončić, who has been sidelined indefinitely since early April, and the Lakers were missing Austin Reaves for the same reason. Durant was a late withdrawal after aggravating a bruised right knee during practice, pushing his debut for Houston back at least another game. A memorable subplot to the night was LeBron sharing the court with his son, Bronny James, marking the first time a father‑son duo has appeared together in an NBA playoff game. LeBron expressed the surreal nature of the moment, "This year has been crazy.
Playing a playoff game with my son is probably the most unbelievable thing in my career. Having my whole family—my brother, sister, mother, and grandmother—in the arena made it even more special. My mom gets to watch both her son and grandson in the playoffs; it's wild." Los Angeles shot efficiently, converting 60.6% of its attempts while limiting Houston to just 37.6% thanks to aggressive defense. The next game is slated for 3:30 a.m.
BST on April 22, broadcast live on Sky Sports, with the Rockets hoping Durant can return after his knee issue. In other playoff action, the Cleveland Cavaliers opened their 2026 postseason run with a 126-113 victory over the Toronto Raptors, finally breaking a three‑game losing streak to the Canadians earlier in the year. Max Strus, who missed much of the regular season due to injury, teamed up with recent acquisition James Harden to combine for 46 points, propelling Cleveland to a crucial home win.
Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets secured a 116-105 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves, highlighted by Nikola Jokić's dominant 25‑point triple‑double, which helped Denver take the series lead on its home floor. The New York Knicks also posted a 113-102 first‑game win over the Atlanta Hawks. The contest was tightly contested at halftime, but the Knicks surged ahead in the third quarter.
Star guard Jalen Brunson contributed 28 points and seven assists, steering New York to an early series advantage. The 2026 NBA playoffs continue to roll out on Sky Sports this Sunday, April 19, beginning at 6 p.m. BST with four games 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 carry live coverage of the Western Conference Finals starting May 20, offering fans a comprehensive look at the road to the NBA championship.