The Los Angeles Lakers pulled off a surprising 107-98 triumph over the Houston Rockets in the opening contest of their first‑round playoff series, with LeBron James contributing 19 points and 13 assists. However, the standout performance belonged to Luke Kennard, who etched his name into Lakers lore by dropping 27 points— the second‑highest total ever recorded by a player making his postseason debut with the franchise and a personal playoff high for Kennard since his February trade from Atlanta. The Lakers were able to exploit the absence of Kevin Durant, who missed the game with a bruised right knee, extending the long‑awaited wait for a playoff showdown between the two superstars.
James reflected on his role, saying, "I have to do a little bit of everything; that’s what the job demands. I need to be a triple‑threat—rebound, pass, shoot, defend—and find ways to add value for the team.
Every game will be different, and I don’t script my actions; the only thing I control is how I prepare." Both clubs entered the game missing key contributors. The Rockets were without Luka Doncic, and the Lakers were without Austin Reaves, each sidelined indefinitely after injuries suffered on April 2. Durant’s late‑stage withdrawal left Houston without its marquee scorer, further tilting the balance in Los Angeles’ favor.
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 appeared together in an NBA postseason game. James marveled, "This season has been crazy.
Playing alongside my son in a playoff game is probably the wildest thing that’s happened in my career. Having my wife, my kids, my mom, and my grandma in the arena made it even more special. My mom gets to watch both her son and her grandson compete in the playoffs—it's unbelievable." The Lakers’ shooting efficiency was a decisive factor; they connected on 60.6 percent of their attempts while limiting the Rockets to a paltry 37.6 percent, a testament to their disciplined defense.
Game two is slated for 3:30 a.m. BST on April 22, broadcast live on Sky Sports from Los Angeles. Durant will have to wait at least another game before making his Rockets playoff debut after the knee injury sustained in practice. In other first‑round action, the Cleveland Cavaliers opened the 2026 playoffs with a 126‑113 victory over the Toronto Raptors, avenging three straight losses to the Canadians earlier in the season.
Max Strus, who missed most of the regular season due to injury, teamed up with newly acquired James Harden to combine for 46 points, propelling Cleveland to a crucial home‑court win. Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets secured a 116‑105 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves, with Nikola Jokić delivering a classic 25‑point triple‑double that underscored his dominance and gave Denver the early series edge on their own floor.
The New York Knicks also claimed a 113‑102 opening‑game triumph over the Atlanta Hawks. The contest was tightly contested at halftime, but the Knicks pulled away in the third quarter.
Star guard 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 roll out 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: - 6:00 p.m.: Philadelphia 76ers (7) @ Boston Celtics (2) - 8:30 p.m.: Phoenix Suns (8) @ Oklahoma City Thunder (1) - 11:00 p.m.: Orlando Magic (8) @ Detroit Pistons (1) - 2:00 a.m.: Portland Trail Blazers (7) @ San Antonio Spurs (2) Sky Sports will also broadcast the Western Conference Finals live beginning May 20, ensuring fans can follow the drama through to the championship round. The early upset in Los Angeles sets the tone for a postseason filled with unexpected storylines, from veteran superstars adapting to new roles to families witnessing once‑in‑a‑lifetime moments on the biggest stage.