Los Angeles Lakers: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Marcus Smart ‘Glad’ To Now Be LeBron James’ Teammate In Playoffs

The Los Angeles Lakers opened up their first-round series against the Houston Rockets on Saturday evening and came away with a 107-98 win. Marcus Smart and LeBron James were ready to go, setting the tone for the Lakers and using their postseason experience to power the win.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Kobe Bryant's Nike Sneakers Pay Tribute to Pau Gasol

Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant had complex relationships with many of his teammates over the years due to his demanding nature and unrelenting pursuit of victory.

Giannis Antetokounmpo News / Los Angeles Lakers on SI / April 20

Did Giannis Antetokounmpo Just End Lakers Trade Hopes With One Comment?

The Los Angeles Lakers were never in serious Giannis Antetokounmpo trade talks, but they were quietly positioning themselves for a run at him this summer.

Luke Kennard News / Los Angeles Lakers on SI / April 20

Luke Kennard Did What No Lakers Player Has Done in Nearly 30 Years

The Los Angeles Lakers entered the 2026 NBA Playoffs without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, both sidelined since early April. Somebody had to step up on the biggest stage.

LeBron James News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'NBA playoff double-doubles' quiz

How many of the NBA players with at least 60 double-doubles in the playoffs can you name in five minutes?

The 'Youngest 40-point NBA games' quiz

The 'NBA Finals MVPs' quiz

The 'NBA minutes-per-game leaders' quiz

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.

Los Angeles Lakers News / EssentiallySports / April 20

'List Is Invalid': Luka Doncic Snubbed From MVP Finalists as Adam Silver’s NBA Faces Backlash

Something about the MVP race felt settled on paper but unsettled everywhere else. The numbers lined up, the lifeline narratives were in place after the unprecedented “Extraordinary Circumstances” exemption was selectively enforced, and the league did what it always does this time of year.

Los Angeles Lakers News / NBA on ClutchPoints / April 20

What LeBron James found ‘insane’ about Game 1 win vs. Rockets

LOS ANGELES – With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves sidelined indefinitely, it meant that other players on the roster were going to get an opportunity to be part of the Los Angeles Lakers’ playoff rotation.

NBA News / AirJordanChronicles / April 19

Derek Fisher Makes LeBron James-Magic Johnson Comparison During 2026 Playoffs

At 41 years old, LeBron James is rewriting how a veteran performs in the postseason. And it recently led the Lakers’ assistant coach, Derek Fisher, to compare ‘King James’ to the legendary Magic Johnson.

LeBron James News / Athlon Sports / April 19

LeBron James Reacts to Lakers Teammate's Performance Against Rockets

LeBron James led the Los Angeles Lakers against the Houston Rockets in Game 1 of their NBA playoffs matchup. James orchestrated the offense from the get-go, logging eight assists in the first quarter. The 23-year veteran finished the game with 19 points, eight rebounds and 13 assists.

NBA News / Yardbarker / April 19

Shannon Sharpe not sold on Lakers after Game 1 win

There was plenty of buzz after LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers took Game 1 over the Houston Rockets on Saturday, but Sharpe was not exactly lining up to celebrate.

Unlikely hero Luke Kennard leads Lakers to Game 1 win over Rockets

Luke Kennard scores 27, Lakers take Game 1 against Rockets

Adam Silver may have revealed LeBron James' plans for next season

The 'NBA playoff double-doubles' quiz

LeBron James 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.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'Stanley Cup Playoff hat-tricks' quiz

The 'Most NBA-debut points by NBA team' quiz

The 'Multiple 200 three-pointer seasons' quiz

The 'Most 25-PPG NBA seasons' quiz

Luka Doncic News / Lakers Nation / April 19

Lakers Star Luka Doncic Not Named NBA MVP Finalist

The NBA announced the MVP finalists for the 2025-26 season, which were Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs and Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets.

Luke Kennard News / Athlon Sports / April 19

Luke Kennard Sends Strong Message After Big Game for Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers got a big Game 1 win against the Houston Rockets, 107-98, led by Luke Kennard. The 2025-26 NBA three-point percentage leader scored a game-high 27 points.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Larry Brown Sports / April 19

Adam Silver makes a notable prediction about LeBron James

Adam Silver thinks that he can see the vision when it comes to LeBron James. The NBA commissioner Silver appeared this week on WFAN Sports Radio in New York and was asked about the Los Angeles Lakers star James and James’ future plans.

NBA News / Hoops Wire / April 19

NBA Notes: Lakers, LeBron James, Nuggets, Jamal Murray, Timberwolves

The Lakers didn’t waste their break. They used it. Already dealing with injuries to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, Los Angeles caught another shift before Game 1 when Kevin Durant was ruled out for Houston.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Lakers Nation / April 19

LeBron James Reacts To Sharing Court With Bronny In Playoffs

Playoff basketball is a different entity and getting that first experience is something players do not forget. For the Los Angeles Lakers, sophomore guard Bronny James was thrust into his first postseason action in Game 1 against the Houston Rockets due to the team’s injuries in the backcourt.