The Los Angeles Lakers delivered a stunning performance 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 sharpshooting of Luke Kennard that truly captured the headlines.
Kennard poured in 27 points, marking the second‑highest scoring effort ever recorded by a player making his postseason debut with the Lakers, and setting a new personal best for him since his February trade from Atlanta. This remarkable display helped the Lakers capitalize on the absence of Kevin Durant, who was sidelined with a bruised right knee, extending the long‑awaited wait for a playoff showdown between the two superstars. James explained his approach, emphasizing versatility: "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—so I can add value wherever the team needs me." He added that each game will unfold uniquely, noting that his preparation is the only constant in his routine. "I've been in every situation you can imagine as a basketball player, so nothing really surprises me," James said, underscoring his veteran poise. Both squads entered the game without key contributors.
The Rockets were missing Luka Dončić, who has been out indefinitely since early April, while the Lakers were without Austin Reaves, also sidelined with a lingering injury. Durant’s late withdrawal left the Rockets without their marquee scorer, forcing them to rely on a collective effort that ultimately fell short. A historic moment unfolded for James off the court as well.
For the first time in his career, he shared the playoff floor with his son, Bronny James, who was in the stands watching his father compete. James reflected on the surreal experience, saying, "Being on the court with my son in a playoff game is probably the craziest thing that has happened in my career.
It was amazing to have my whole family—my son, his brother, his sister, my wife, and my mom—watching me. My mom gets to see both her son and grandson in the playoffs. It's just wild." The Lakers’ shooting efficiency was a decisive factor. Los Angeles connected on 60.6 percent of its field‑goal attempts, while the Rockets managed only 37.6 percent, a disparity amplified by the Lakers’ aggressive perimeter defense.
The next game is scheduled for 3:30 a.m. BST on April 22 and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports from Los Angeles. Durant will have to wait at least one more game before making his Rockets playoff debut, assuming he recovers from 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 snapping a trio of consecutive losses to the Canadian club earlier in the year. Max Strus, who missed most of the regular season due to injury, teamed up with newly acquired star James Harden to combine for 46 points, propelling Cleveland to an important home‑court win.
Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets secured a 116‑105 triumph over the Minnesota Timberwolves, with Nikola Jokić delivering a classic 25‑point triple‑double that underscored his dominance and gave Denver the series lead in the opening matchup. The New York Knicks also claimed a 113‑102 win in their series opener against the Atlanta Hawks.
After a tightly contested first half, the Knicks pulled away in the third quarter. Jalen Brunson led the charge with 28 points and seven assists, helping New York seize an early series advantage. The 2026 NBA playoffs continue to unfold on Sky Sports this Sunday, April 19, beginning at 6 p.m. BST with four games on the Sky Sports Action channel.
The schedule, all listed in British Summer Time, is as follows: 6 p.m. – Philadelphia 76ers (seed 7) at Boston Celtics (seed 2) 8:30 p.m. – Phoenix Suns (seed 8) at Oklahoma City Thunder (seed 1) 11 p.m. – Orlando Magic (seed 8) at Detroit Pistons (seed 1) 2 a.m.
– Portland Trail Blazers (seed 7) at San Antonio Spurs (seed 2) Sky Sports will also carry live coverage of the Western Conference Finals beginning May 20, ensuring fans can follow the climactic stages of the postseason. The early round results set the tone for a thrilling playoff season, with star performances, historic family moments, and strategic adjustments promising to keep audiences engaged through each successive round.