Los Angeles Lakers: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Los Angeles Lakers News / EssentiallySports / April 16

The Los Angeles Lakers May Be The Best Bet Of The 2026 NBA Playoffs

The 2026 NBA Playoffs are here, which means betting opportunities for those reading this article. We’re not talking single-game props that are largely prone to variance.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Lakers Nation / April 16

JJ Redick Discusses Growth In Second Season As Lakers Head Coach

JJ Redick has had an incredibly successful early run as the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. Redick was hired ahead of the 2024-25 season, and at that time, the Lakers had just one 50-win season since 2010-11 and one season finishing top six in the Western Conference since 2011-12.

Charlotte Hornets News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Multiple 200 three-pointer seasons' quiz

In NBA history, 38 players have made 200 or more three-point field goals in more than one season. How many can you name in five minutes?

The '30-point, 10-assist game leaders by team' quiz

The 'Three-point leaders by NBA season' quiz

The 'Last 10 3-pointer game by NBA team' quiz

NBA News / Fadeaway World / April 16

Ime Udoka Names 5 Players Who Will Defend LeBron James In Lakers-Rockets Series

The Houston Rockets will be the lower seed in their first-round NBA Playoff matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers. They ended the season 52-30 as the No.

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.

Luka Doncic News / Los Angeles Lakers on SI / April 16

Lakers Luka Doncic Injury Tracker: Latest News, Status and Rumors

Luka Doncic has been sidelined since April 2 with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain. He flew to Madrid shortly after for specialized stem cell treatment, with the Lakers set to open the playoffs against the Houston Rockets on April 18.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Los Angeles Lakers on SI / April 16

‘Jerry West: The Logo’ Documentary Reveals New Lakers Stories, Son Shares Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal Moments

For most of the basketball world, Los Angeles Lakers legend Jerry West and NBA icon will forever be known as “The Logo.” But for his son, Ryan West, the upcoming documentary Jerry West: The Logo offers something far more personal.

NBA News / NBA on ClutchPoints / April 16

Why Rockets will smash Lakers in 5 games with Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves injured

Earlier in the 2025-26 season, it looked as though the Houston Rockets had all the makings of a pretender despite adding Kevin Durant into the mix. Fans have gotten so frustrated towards the Rockets for their poor execution in crunch time, and their offense can get clogged at times due to the lack of spacing.

Rui Hachimura News / NBA on ClutchPoints / April 16

Rui Hachimura’s stern warning ahead of Game 1 vs. Rockets

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Lakers know their opening round series of the NBA playoffs against the Houston Rockets is going to be physical. The Rockets are a team that thrives on physicality and is going to look to set the tone in that regard in Game 1.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Total Pro Sports / April 16

JJ Redick Shares Strong Belief in Bronny James’ Growing Role Ahead of Houston Rockets Series

The Los Angeles Lakers will have their hands full against the Houston Rockets because Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves might not suit up. And JJ Redick is fully aware of that.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Silver Screen & Roll / April 15

Deandre Ayton excited to make his Lakers playoff debut: ‘I want to do backflips’

Let’s rewind the clock back to last summer. Deandre Ayton showed up to his Lakers introductory press conference, ecstatic to join the franchise. He spoke about how excited he was to play with Luka Dončić and how he wanted to prove his critics wrong with a bounce-back year in Los Angeles.

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.

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

The 'Most 25-PPG NBA seasons' quiz

The 'Three-point leaders by NBA season' quiz

The 'Five 3's off the bench games' quiz

The 'Masters runners-up since 2000' quiz

LeBron James News / NBA on ClutchPoints / April 15

LeBron James leads intense Lakers conditioning session before Rockets series

The Los Angeles Lakers are getting their bearings together to face the Houston Rockets in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs. And it is naturally LeBron James leading the way.

Austin Reaves News / Athlon Sports / April 15

Austin Reaves Practice Video Emerges After Lakers Injury Update

The Los Angeles Lakers kick off their NBA playoffs campaign on Saturday against the Houston Rockets. L.A. will host Game 1 of this opening-round best-of-seven series at Crypto.com Arena.

NBA News / Yardbarker / April 15

Marcus Smart vows Lakers won’t get punked by Rockets in playoffs

The Los Angeles Lakers are heading into the NBA playoffs on fumes, and they know it.

Lakers get crucial Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves injury updates ahead of playoffs

Bronny James gets bad news in his attempt for a trademark

At 37, Rockets superstar Kevin Durant still belongs on All-NBA first team

The 'Most points in an NBA Cup game' quiz

Los Angeles Lakers News / NBA on ClutchPoints / April 15

Lakers’ Rui Hachimura praises LeBron James for vocal leadership despite role change

LeBron James played more of a secondary option kind of role with the Los Angeles Lakers this season, while Luka Doncic filled in as the organization’s superstar.

Jerry West News / Los Angeles Lakers on SI / April 15

Kenya Barris Reveals Why Lakers Legend Jerry West’s Story Is ‘Bigger Than Basketball’ in Documentary

As anticipation builds for Jerry West: The Logo ahead of its April 16 premiere on Prime Video, director Kenya Barris set out to tell a story about the Los Angeles Lakers legend that goes far beyond basketball.

Rui Hachimura News / Lakers Nation / April 15

Rui Hachimura Gives Key To Lakers’ Success During 2025-26 Season

Rui Hachimura has been a vital part to the Los Angeles Lakers’ success, filling in as a reliable scorer either as a starter or off the bench. Hachimura started the 2025-26 season as a starter, but really hit his stride once he was moved to the bench in favor of Marcus Smart.

LeBron James News / Los Angeles Lakers on SI / April 15

LeBron James Reveals His Ideal Finals Matchup for Lakers

The 2026 NBA Playoffs are here, and for LeBron James, it isn't just about winning a championship. It's about who he wins it against. The Lakers are locked in as the No.

Stephen A Smith News / Total Pro Sports / April 15

Stephen A. Smith Suggests Bold Strategic Approach for Los Angeles Lakers Amid Injury Concerns

The playoffs are here, but the Los Angeles Lakers aren’t walking in at full strength. We don’t have Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves, and that puts pretty much everything on LeBron James again.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Lakers Nation / April 15

JJ Redick Explains Why Lakers Signed Nick Smith Jr. Over Drew Timme

Just before the end of the 2025-26 season, the Los Angeles Lakers waived Kobe Bufkin and signed Nick Smith Jr. to a standard, two-year NBA deal. Smith was playing on a two-way contract and in order to be eligible for the playoff roster, the Lakers needed to upgrade his deal.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Athlon Sports / April 15

Lakers Receive Encouraging News Before NBA Playoffs

The Los Angeles Lakers enter the 2026 NBA playoffs with both momentum and uncertainty after securing the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference. Their reward is a first-round matchup against Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets, with Los Angeles holding home-court advantage in Games 1, 2, 5 and 7, if necessary.