Los Angeles Lakers: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Los Angeles Lakers News / Silver Screen & Roll / April 23

JJ Redick says Jake LaRavia is day to day with ‘minor’ ankle sprain

Besides Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, the Lakers have had the rest of their roster available during the playoffs. However, they might be playing without a member of their rotation for Friday’s Game 3.

Cleveland Cavaliers News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Most 30-point NBA Playoff games' quiz

How many of the NBA players with at least 30 games with 30 points in the postseason can you name in five minutes?

The '40-point NBA games since 1976-77' quiz

The 'Active 30-point games in an NBA season leaders' quiz

The 'NBA franchise scoring records' quiz

Rui Hachimura News / Lakers Nation / April 23

Rui Hachimura Has Been Preparing All Year To Play Big Postseason Minutes

The likes of Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard have gotten a ton of praise for their performance in the playoffs so far for the Los Angeles Lakers. But another role player who has been extremely important not just in the postseason, but all season long, has been Rui Hachimura.

NBA News / Yardbarker

The 25 greatest playoff games in NBA history

In the NBA, it's all about showing up and showing out in the posteason. With that in mind, here are the 25 greatest NBA playoff games of all time.

Austin Reaves News / Field Level Media / April 23

Austin Reaves cleared for on-court work, could rejoin Lakers' lineup in 7-10 days

Austin Reaves is working out on the court and closing in on rejoining the Lakers' lineup. Reaves was cleared for the latest step in his progression of rehab from a Grade 2 oblique strain suffered on April 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the same game in which Luka Doncic (hamstring) was injured.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Lakers Nation / April 23

LeBron James Not Getting Ahead Of Himself In Lakers Series Vs. Rockets

The Los Angeles Lakers are heading to Texas in a situation very few people thought they could be in. LeBron James has led L.A. to a shocking 2-0 series lead over the Houston Rockets, looking like clearly the better team in both games thanks to massive steps forward from James, Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart.

Marcus Smart News / Lakers Nation / April 23

Marcus Smart ‘Grateful’ To Be Back Contributing In Playoffs

Marcus Smart is only four years removed from winning the Defensive Player of the Year award. However, injuries and trades derailed him, limiting him to 54 games and zero playoff appearances for two teams in the last two seasons.

Luke Kennard News / Lakers Nation / April 23

Luke Kennard: Lakers ‘Gotta Believe In What We Have’

Almost no one could have predicted that the Los Angeles Lakers — missing both Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves — would be leading the Houston Rockets 2-0 through two games of their first round playoff series.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Yardbarker

The 25 defining moments of LeBron James' career

LeBron's career can't go on forever, can it? If it were to end tomorrow, it would be the greatest run of sustained excellence the league has ever seen.

NBA News / Yardbarker / April 23

What factors will decide the Lakers-Rockets playoff series?

When the Los Angeles Lakers' two leading scorers, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, went down against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 2, many speculated their playoff hopes were diminished and that a short series was inevitable. Instead, they're up 2-0 on the Rockets. What will determine how the rest of the series plays out?

LeBron James outduels Kevin Durant as Lakers take 2-0 series lead

The 'Most 30-point NBA games at 35+' quiz

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The 'First round QB's since 2000' quiz

The 'Most 30-point NBA Playoff games' quiz

The 'Playoff debut scoring-record by team' quiz

The 'NBA minutes-per-game leaders' quiz

Los Angeles Lakers News / Los Angeles Lakers on SI / April 23

Skip Bayless Makes Bold Claim About Lakers Without Luka Doncic

Just days after head coach JJ Redick publicly defended Luka Doncic and called out media bias around the team and MVP snub, the narrative around the Los Angeles Lakers has taken a strange turn, and one loud media voice is now questioning whether the team even needs Luka at all.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Lakers Nation / April 23

LeBron James Has Special On-Court Connection With Marcus Smart

Without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, the Los Angeles Lakers need some players to step up alongside LeBron James to take down the Houston Rockets in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

NBA News / HITC / April 23

Los Angeles Lakers achieve never-seen NBA playoff feat in 2-0 lead over Houston Rockets

The Los Angeles Lakers hold a 2-0 lead in their playoff series against the Houston Rockets after winning both home games. The results put them in control early, but the context behind those wins is even more striking.

Los Angeles Lakers News / AirJordanChronicles / April 23

Stephen A. Smith Backs LeBron James’ GOAT Case Based on Recent Performance

Stephen A. Smith has historically favored Michael Jordan over LeBron James as the GOAT of basketball. However, on Wednesday, Smith backed the Los Angeles Lakers star’s case, citing his recent performance against the Houston Rockets.

LeBron James News / AirJordanChronicles / April 23

Michael Beasley recalls LeBron James moment during Club Shay Shay appearance

Michael Beasley spent only one season alongside LeBron James in Miami, mostly as a quiet observer, but that vantage point gave him a front-row seat to the infamous cookie incident from the 2013-14 season.

LeBron James News / NBA on ClutchPoints / April 23

As Lakers & LeBron James shine, Brian Windhorst admits he thought retirement was near

Father Time might be undefeated, but LeBron James is currently taking him to the limit. Despite being 41 years old, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar continues to defy logic, even if some of the league’s most seasoned insiders were ready to write his basketball obituary just a few months ago.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Athlon Sports / April 22

'Most Inefficient Player in the League': Skip Bayless Drops Harsh Verdict on Lakers' Luka Doncic

Luka Doncic has yet to play this postseason, but that doesn’t seem to be a problem, as his Los Angeles Lakers have gone 2–0 against the Houston Rockets, with LeBron James turning back the clock and Luke Kennard blossoming under JJ Redick’s system.

LeBron James News / AirJordanChronicles / April 22

LeBron James Addresses His Viral Reverse Dunk vs Houston Rockets

A moment surprised everyone when LeBron James turned back the clock on the court. Apart from that incredible play, it was his honest take that grabbed the real spotlight.

Marcus Smart News / Los Angeles Lakers on SI / April 22

Marcus Smart Pinpoints One Thing Fueling Lakers’ Playoff Success vs. Rockets

Coming into the first-round playoff series against Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets, the Los Angeles Lakers were underdogs, with the consensus being that JJ Redick’s team could not beat Ime Udoka’s gritty squad without stars Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Hoops Wire / April 22

Lakers’ Austin Reaves closer to return than Luka Doncic

The Lakers are in control of their first-round series. They just aren’t whole. Even without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, the Lakers have jumped out to a 2-0 lead over the Rockets.

NBA News / Yardbarker / April 22

Kevin Durant returns in Game 2 vs. Lakers, but Rockets still lose

If the Houston Rockets can't win with a healthy Kevin Durant, their first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference playoffs could be a short one.

Jrue Holiday trade pays off big for Trail Blazers in comeback Game 2 win

Scoot Henderson shoots Trail Blazers past Spurs to even series

How VJ Edgecombe, Tyrese Maxey outdueled Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum in 76ers' upset win in Game 2

Jimmy Butler may not return in 2026-27

The 'NBA Playoff PPG leaders' quiz

Los Angeles Lakers News / Athlon Sports / April 21

JJ Redick Shares Update on Austin Reaves' Injury Recovery

The Los Angeles Lakers are missing the offensive production from Austin Reaves this playoffs. Reaves has been out with a Grade 2 left oblique strain before the 2025-26 NBA season ended.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Larry Brown Sports / April 21