April 12, 2026, 11:52 p.m. ET
The Los Angeles Lakers managed to safe a spot in the NBA Playoffs after producing a scorching streak later in the season because the group gathered momentum, successful 13 of 15 video games.
Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves all appeared settled into their roles and the group was transferring in the fitting path, however that momentum has since been misplaced. The Lakers will have to maneuver ahead with James as the point of interest after Doncic and Reaves each suffered injuries in the closing stretch of the common season.
The duo can also be anticipated to overlook a part of the postseason. That leaves gamers like Rui Hachimura, Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart to assist navigate the Lakers’ potential postseason run lengthy sufficient to try to get Reaves and Doncic wholesome.
Doncic, who traveled to Europe for special treatment on his left hamstring strain, averaged a league-leading 33.5 factors per recreation. He additionally ranked third in assists with 8.3 per recreation.
The Lakers completed the common season with a 53-29 file following a 131-107 home victory over the Utah Jazz on April 12.
Who will the Lakers play in first spherical of NBA Playoffs?
The Lakers will function the Western Conference’s fourth seed in the playoff and tackle the fifth-seeded Houston Rockets.
Kevin Durant led the Rockets with 26 factors per recreation in his first yr with the franchise. Alperen Sengun leads Houston with 8.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists per recreation this season.
The Rockets completed out the common season with a 52-30 file through the common season.
When do Lakers and Rockets begin first spherical?
The Lakers will host the Houston Rockets on Saturday, April 18. The recreation will air on ABC and begin at 5:30 p.m. PT (8:30 p.m. ET)
- When: Saturday, April 18
- Where: Crypto.com Arena (Los Angeles)
- Time: 5:30 p.m. PT (8:30 p.m. ET)
- TV: ABC
Who gained Lakers-Rockets regular-season sequence
The Lakers acquired the most effective of the Rockets through the common season, successful the final two video games of the three-game regular-season sequence.
- Dec. 25: Rockets def. Lakers 119-96
- March 16: Lakers def. Rockets, 100-92
- March 18: Lakers def. Rockets, 124-116
