Los Angeles Lakers: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Deandre Ayton Describes Luke Kennard’s Game 1 Performance In 1 Word

The Los Angeles Lakers are gonna need some big performances to take down the Houston Rockets in the first round of the NBA Playoffs and they got that in a big way in Game 1.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

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

Los Angeles Lakers News / Yardbarker / April 20

Jeanie Buss may have hinted at LeBron James' retirement

For months, NBA fans and analysts have speculated whether this is the end of the line for James and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Shannon Sharpe not sold on Lakers after Game 1 win

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

Adam Silver makes a notable prediction about LeBron James

The 'Most NBA games played' 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.

LeBron James News / Lakers Nation / April 20

LeBron James Discusses Adaptability Of His Game To Give Lakers Whatever Needed

Coming into the postseason without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, it was known that LeBron James would have to play at an unbelievable level for the Los Angeles Lakers to have a chance at success.

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

Jeanie Buss Says Kobe Bryant Would Be Excited to See Luka Doncic as a Laker

The Los Angeles Lakers have not had a shortage of all-time greats wearing purple and gold, from Magic Johnson to Kobe Bryant to LeBron James. Now, Luka Doncic is next in line, and the woman who runs the franchise believes even Kobe would approve.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Silver Screen & Roll / April 20

The Lakers were collectively proud of their poise during Game 1

In last season’s Game 1 against the Wolves, the Lakers admitted they weren’t prepared for what was awaiting them. The result was them falling behind the eight ball from the jump and being forced to unsuccessfully play catch-up.

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.

NBA News / Total Pro Sports / April 20

Rockets vs. Lakers: Preview and Injury Updates for Game 2 (Apr 21)

JJ Redick and his team looked in a lot of trouble going into the postseason. After all, when names like Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic are unavailable, there’s very little one can do.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Lakers Nation / April 20

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.

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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

Los Angeles Lakers News / Sneakers on SI / April 20

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.

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

Luka Doncic News / Los Angeles Lakers on SI / April 19