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The Guardian World1 min read
LeBron, Lakers shock Rockets with Game 1 win in NBA playoffs
TL;DR
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Houston Rockets 107-98 in Game 1 of their playoff series, with Luke Kennard scoring a career playoff-high 27 points. The Lakers capitalized on Kevin Durant's absence, showcasing strong shooting and defense despite missing their top scorers.
Key points
- Lakers won Game 1 against Rockets 107-98
- Luke Kennard scored a career playoff-high 27 points
- LeBron James had 19 points and 13 assists
- Kevin Durant was absent due to injury
- Lakers shot 60.6 percent from the field
Mentioned in this story
LeBron JamesLuke KennardKevin DurantLuka DoncicAustin ReavesAlperen SengunJabari Smith JrAmen Thompson
Los Angeles LakersHouston Rockets
Luke Kennard scored a career playoff-high 27 points, LeBron James had 19 points and 13 assists, and the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers capitalised on Kevin Durant’s injury absence for a 107-98 victory over the Houston Rockets in the opener of their first-round playoff series on Saturday night.
Deandre Ayton had 19 points and 11 rebounds for the fourth-seeded Lakers, who pulled off an impressive win without their top two scorers.
Both teams played the opener without their most important player. Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves have been out indefinitely with injuries since April 2, while Durant was a late scratch with a bruised right knee.
Los Angeles thrived by hitting 60.6 percent of its shots while holding the Rockets to 37.6 percent shooting with pesky defence.
Alperen Sengun scored 19 points, and Jabari Smith Jr had 16 points and 12 rebounds for the fifth-seeded Rockets, who finished one game behind Los Angeles in the regular season. Amen Thompson added 17 points, but Houston’s young core got off to an inconsistent start after becoming the firm favourite in this series due to the Lakers’ injury woes.
Game 2 is on Tuesday night in Los Angeles.
Guard Luke Kennard #10 led the Lakers with 27 points in Game 1 against Houston [Kirby Lee/Imagn Images via Reuters]
Kennard rallies Lakers in second half
The Lakers acquired Kennard from Atlanta in early February, and the NBA’s most accurate 3-point shooter became a key reserve before he seized a major role over the past two weeks in the absence of Los Angeles’s starting backcourt. He hit four 3-pointers in Game 1, while making nine of his first 12 shots.
Durant must wait at least one more game to make his Rockets playoff debut after banging knees with a teammate in practice on Wednesday. Reed Sheppard took his spot in the starting lineup and hit five 3-pointers while scoring 17 points, but the Rockets struggled for consistent half-court offence in Durant’s absence despite grabbing 21 offensive rebounds.
The Lakers took the lead for good on their first bucket of the second half, and they pushed their advantage to 16 points in the fourth quarter. Kennard scored 16 points after halftime, while the 41-year-old James began his 19th NBA postseason with an inspired, eight-assist first quarter, followed by several gritty baskets down the stretch.
Q&A
What was the final score of the Lakers vs Rockets Game 1 playoff match?
The final score was 107-98 in favor of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Who were the standout players in the Lakers' Game 1 victory?
Luke Kennard scored a career playoff-high 27 points, while LeBron James contributed 19 points and 13 assists.
Why were Kevin Durant and other key players absent in Game 1?
Kevin Durant was a late scratch due to a bruised right knee, while Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves have been out indefinitely with injuries since April 2.
