98 Rockets (Apr 18, 2026) Game Recap
ESPN • • general
Key Points:
- Luke Kennard scored a career playoff-high 27 points, leading the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers to a 107-98 victory over the Houston Rockets in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.
- LeBron James contributed 19 points and 13 assists, while Deandre Ayton added a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds, helping the Lakers overcome the absence of their top two scorers.
- The Lakers shot an efficient 60.6% from the field and played strong defense, limiting the Rockets to 37.6% shooting despite Houston's Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr. scoring 19 and 16 points respectively.
- Kevin Durant missed the game due to a bruised right knee, postponing his playoff debut, while rookie Reed Sheppard stepped up with 17 points and five 3-pointers for the Rockets.
- Veteran Marcus Smart made a strong Lakers playoff debut with 15 points, eight assists, and four 3-pointers, and Bronny James briefly played alongside his father LeBron in the second quarter.
