LeBron James and the short-handed Lakers surprise Rockets 107-98 in playoff opener
AP News • • 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.
- The Lakers overcame the absence of their top two scorers, with LeBron James contributing 19 points and 13 assists, and Deandre Ayton adding 19 points and 11 rebounds.
- Both teams played without their key players: the Lakers missing Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves due to injuries, and the Rockets without Kevin Durant, who was sidelined with a bruised right knee.
- Los Angeles shot an efficient 60.6% from the field and held Houston to 37.6%, despite attempting only 66 shots—the fewest in an NBA game in the past three seasons.
- Game 2 of the series is scheduled for Tuesday night in Los Angeles, with both teams looking to adjust following the injury setbacks and shooting struggles.
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