Los Angeles Lakers: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Rockets vs. Lakers – 2026 NBA Playoffs: Game Preview and Injury Updates (Apr 29)

Coming into the postseason, not a lot of critics wanted to give the Los Angeles Lakers a chance. Playing without the likes of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, the purple and gold brigade were severely shorthanded.

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The Quiz of the Day

Optimism Austin Reaves Will Return In Game 5

The Los Angeles Lakers have been without both of their star guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves for the first four games of their series against the Houston Rockets, but reinforcements appear to be on the way.

Marcus Smart News / Lakers Nation / April 28

Marcus Smart Believes Lakers’ Fatigue In Game 4 Was More Mental Than Physical

The Los Angeles Lakers were unable to complete the sweep of the Houston Rockets in their first round playoff series, dropping Game 4 in blowout fashion.

Jalen Johnson News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Season triple-double leaders by team' quiz

How many of the players to record the most triple-doubles in one season since the NBA/ABA merger for each franchise can you name in five minutes?

The 'Active 40-point playoff games' quiz

The 'Most 20-point, 10-rebound NBA seasons' quiz

The '20-point, 10-assist game leaders' quiz

Lakers Around the Web

Lakers star Austin Reaves 'optimistic' about playing in Game 5 after oblique strain, per report · CBSSports.com

Sources: Lakers optimistic for Reaves return in G5 · ESPN

Smart, Kennard fined for verbal spat with officials · ESPN

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 / Hoops Rumors / April 28

Austin Reaves Trending Toward Game 5 Return?

Lakers guard Austin Reaves is optimistic about his ability to suit up for Game 5 of the team’s first-round series against Houston on Wednesday night, reports Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link).

Los Angeles Lakers News / Lakers Nation / April 28

JJ Redick Discusses Biggest Areas Lakers Have Missed Luka Doncic & Austin Reaves

The Los Angeles Lakers finally dropped their first game of the series against the Houston Rockets, a blowout Game 4 loss that came on the heels of their thrilling Game 3 overtime victory.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander News / Athlon Sports / April 28

Lakers Get Warning From Shai Gilgeous-Alexander During NBA Playoffs

The Los Angeles Lakers are one win away from the second round. After going down 3-0 in the series, the Houston Rockets forced Game 5, and now the Lakers will hope to close things out at home Wednesday night.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Larry Brown Sports / April 27

Two Lakers players get fined for criticizing the referees

Two Los Angeles Lakers players are now feeling the wrath of the league office. The NBA announced on Monday that Lakers guards Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard have been fined.

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 'Active 40-point playoff games' quiz

The 'No.2-overall NFL Draft picks' quiz

The 'NFL No.1-overall draft picks' quiz

The 'First round QB's since 2000' quiz

NBA News / Fadeaway World / April 27

New Video Shows Luka Doncic Trash-Talking Alperen Sengun During Game 4 Of Lakers-Rockets Series

Luka Doncic has been sidelined for the entirety of the Lakers vs. Rockets first-round series. But that hasn’t stopped him from engaging in trash-talk even from the Lakers’ bench.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Lakers Nation / April 27

Marcus Smart & Luke Kennard Fined For Actions After Game 4

Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart has been fined $35,000 for questioning the integrity of game officials and Luke Kennard has been fined $25,000 for directing inappropriate language towards game officials, it was announced on Monday by James Jones, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations of the NBA.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Hoops Rumors / April 27

Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard Fined By NBA

The Lakers’ backcourt wracked up a pair of fines for their comments to the referees after Game 4, the league announced (via Twitter). Marcus Smart has

Los Angeles Lakers News / Hoops Wire / April 27

Lakers aim to fix turnover issue: ‘Majority are mental’

Turnovers have been a talking point for the Lakers throughout their first-round series vs. the Rockets, and it remains an issue even with L.A. holding a 3-1 lead.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Los Angeles Lakers on SI / April 27

LeBron James, Marcus Smart Deliver Strong Message Before Lakers-Rockets Game 5

After winning the first three games of their first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets, the Los Angeles Lakers headed into Game 4 with the chance to pull off what would’ve been a shocking sweep.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Silver Screen & Roll / April 27

The Lakers are focused on cleaning up turnover woes after woeful Game 4

In the week leading up to their series against the Rockets, the Lakers repeatedly emphasized the importance of taking care of the ball. Despite being up 3-1 in the series, there have been very few moments where it’s felt like the Lakers have taken that message to heart.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Yardbarker / April 27

Should Lakers' Austin Reaves suit up for Game 5 vs. Rockets?

For Los Angeles Lakers fans, it looked too good to be true. With the team up 3-0 in their series against the Houston Rockets, an interesting detail popped up on the injury report for Game 4.

Lakers HC JJ Redick provides update on Luka Doncic's injury recovery

Lakers Injury Report: Austin Reaves, Kevin Durant Questionable For Game 4

LeBron James suffers an embarrassing low for the first time in his NBA career

The '2024-25 NBA scoring leaders' quiz

Los Angeles Lakers News / A to Z Sports / April 27