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Lakers Grab 2-0 Lead; Rockets Lose Doncic, Durant

4/23/2026

Summary

Lakers Take Lead

The Los Angeles Lakers took a 2-0 series lead over the Houston Rockets in 2026 NBA playoffs while Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves missed the series with hamstring and oblique strains.
Luke Kennard scored 27 points, 5-5 from three, as Lakers won 107-98 when Houston lost Kevin Durant to a contusion.
Marcus Smart added 25 points and praised LeBron James’s ethic, noting Kevin Durant said the Lakers played “free” without Doncic and Reaves.

Summary

Lakers Award Doncic

The Lakers presented Luka Doncic with his NBA scoring-champion trophy and Western Conference Player of the Month award during a first-quarter timeout at Crypto.com Arena on April 21.
Game 2 aired at 7:30 pm PST on April 21 on NBC and Peacock.
The starting lineup omitted injured guards and listed Luke Kennard, Marcus Smart, LeBron James, Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton.
Owner Jeanie Buss declined to give new details on Luka Doncic’s or Austin Reaves’ return timelines, saying the team would not reveal any secrets.

History

Historical Context

The Los Angeles Lakers won their first NBA championship in 1980, led by rookie Magic Johnson and MVP Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. This victory marked the start of the "Showtime" era, characterized by fast-paced play and entertainment, under owner Jerry Buss. The Lakers' success transformed the NBA's popularity, setting the stage for future championships and a lasting legacy in professional basketball.

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Lakers Take Lead

The Los Angeles Lakers took a 2-0 series lead over the Houston Rockets in 2026 NBA playoffs while Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves missed the series with hamstring and oblique strains.
Luke Kennard scored 27 points, 5-5 from three, as Lakers won 107-98 when Houston lost Kevin Durant to a contusion.
Marcus Smart added 25 points and praised LeBron James’s ethic, noting Kevin Durant said the Lakers played “free” without Doncic and Reaves.

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