Luke Kennard and LeBron James lead team to victory over Rockets in season opener.
LOS ANGELES — Luke Kennard achieved a personal playoff best with 27 points, while LeBron James contributed 19 points and 13 assists, leading the undermanned Los Angeles Lakers to a 107-98 win over the Houston Rockets in the first game of their opening playoff series on Saturday night.
Deandre Ayton recorded 19 points and 11 rebounds for the fourth-seeded Lakers, who secured a notable victory without their leading two scorers.
Both squads entered the matchup missing their key player. Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves have been sidelined indefinitely due to injuries sustained since April 2, and Durant was a late scratch due to a bruised right knee.
Los Angeles excelled by shooting 60.6% from the field while limiting the Rockets to 37.6% shooting through tenacious defense.
Alperen Sengun netted 19 points, and Jabari Smith Jr. added 16 points and 12 rebounds for the fifth-seeded Rockets, who finished just one game behind Los Angeles in the regular season. Amen Thompson contributed 17 points, but Houston’s young roster struggled to find consistency after being viewed as the favorite in this series due to the Lakers’ injury challenges.
Game 2 is scheduled for Tuesday night in Los Angeles.
The Lakers acquired Kennard from Atlanta in early February, and the NBA’s most precise 3-point shooter became an essential reserve before stepping into a significant role over the past two weeks due to the absence of Los Angeles’ starting backcourt. He made four 3-pointers in Game 1, hitting nine of his first 12 attempts.
Durant will have to wait at least one more game to make his playoff debut with the Rockets after colliding knees with a teammate during practice on Wednesday. Reed Sheppard filled his position in the starting lineup, hitting five 3-pointers and scoring 17 points, but the Rockets faced difficulties in establishing a consistent half-court offense without Durant, despite securing 21 offensive rebounds.
The Lakers took control for good with their initial basket of the second half, extending their lead to 16 points in the fourth quarter. Kennard added 16 points after the break, while the 41-year-old James commenced his 19th NBA postseason with an impressive eight-assist first quarter, followed by several determined baskets in the closing moments.
Los Angeles also received support from veteran guard Marcus Smart, who recorded 15 points and eight assists, including four 3-pointers in his playoff debut with the Lakers. Smart mentioned prior to the series that success would hinge on “willpower,” and the Lakers evidently demonstrated more of that from the outset.
Bronny James entered the game in the second quarter, playing alongside his father in the first notable playoff minutes of the 21-year-old’s career.
