Los Angeles Lakers: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Lakers Close Out Rockets With Game 6 Win On Road

After jumping out to a 3-0 series lead, the Los Angeles Lakers failed to close out the Houston Rockets in Games 4 and 5. They got another opportunity on Friday night as the series shifted back to Toyota Center for Game 6.

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Lakers Share Austin Reaves Update Ahead of Game 6

The Los Angeles Lakers are looking to finish the job and advance to the Western Conference semifinals and face the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, they still have to take care of the Houston Rockets and eliminate them in Game 6 on Friday.

Rich Paul News / Los Angeles Lakers on SI / May 1

Rich Paul Shares Blunt Take on LeBron's Legacy as Lakers Risk Historic Playoff Collapse

The Los Angeles Lakers are getting dangerously close to being on the wrong side of NBA history, with LeBron James and company losing their grip on their first-round playoff series with the Houston Rockets.

Marcus Smart News / Los Angeles Lakers on SI / May 1

Lakers’ Marcus Smart Gets Real About What Must Change Before Game 6

After winning the first three games of their first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets, the Los Angeles Lakers have now lost two straight, letting Alperen Sengun and company climb back into it with the chance to make NBA history if they can win the next two games.

Cade Cunningham News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Playoff scoring record by team' quiz

How many of the players who scored the most points in a playoff game for every NBA franchise can you name in five minutes?

The 'Multi-time NBA MVPs' quiz

The 'Most 30-point playoff games by team' quiz

The '3 3's-per-game NBA seasons' quiz

NBA News / Athlon Sports / May 1

Final Injury Report for Lakers-Rockets Game 6: Will Kevin Durant, Luka Doncic Play?

The Houston Rockets are at home on Friday night as they host the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 6 of their first-round playoff series. Houston enters Friday’s game trailing 2-3 in the series after defeating Los Angeles on the road in Game 5 on Wednesday night.

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 / Yardbarker / May 1

Kendrick Perkins calls out LeBron James in playoff prediction

Kendrick Perkins calls out Lakers' LeBron James in suprising playoff prediction

LeBron James is the self-proclaimed king, but can he help the Los Angeles Lakers pull off a Game 6 win in their playoff series against the Houston Rockets?

Lakers are playing with fire as they head into Game 6 vs. Rockets

Did Draymond Green predict LeBron James' retirement out of self-interest?

Skip Bayless calls LeBron James' GOAT case 'laughable'

The 'Most NBA games played' quiz

Los Angeles Lakers News / Lakers Nation / May 1

LeBron James Reveals Foot & Ankle Haven’t Been Same Since Solomon Hill Injury In 2021

As Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has gotten older, he’s had to deal with more injuries than he’s experienced in his career. Throughout the 2025-26 season, James has managed things such as a foot ailment that he attributed to old age.

NBA News / HITC / May 1

LeBron James sent stark warning by Stephen A. Smith amid Rockets series

The Lakers-Rockets series once looked settled when Los Angeles surged into a 3-0 lead. Houston appeared short of options, especially with Kevin Durant sidelined through injury.

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.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Lakers Nation / May 1

Watch: LeBron James Takes Offense At Alperen Sengun Complaining

Tensions between the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets have been steadily rising, as is normally the case as playoff series go longer. This has been

Los Angeles Lakers News / Silver Screen & Roll / May 1

LeBron James, Marcus Smart know the Lakers need to ‘play desperate’ in Game 6

You can’t fake desperate. The Rockets have had their season on the line in the last two games, and they’ve played like it. Houston dominated in a blowout win in Game 4 and then came to LA and won a close contest in Game 5.

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The 'Playoff scoring record by team' quiz

The 'Active 20-PPG NBA seasons' quiz

The 'Most 3's in a playoff game by team' quiz

The 'Season triple-double leaders by team' quiz

Los Angeles Lakers News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Most points to start a season' quiz

How many of the NBA players to score at least 170-combined points in their first five games of the regular season?

Luka Doncic News / Los Angeles Lakers on SI / May 1

Boogie Cousins Believes Lakers Do Not Need Luka Doncic Unless Series Goes to Game 7

The Los Angeles Lakers went up 3-0 on the Houston Rockets, and then things got complicated. Back-to-back losses later, suddenly the series has life again.

Luke Kennard News / Lakers Nation / May 1

Desire To Retain Luke Kennard In Free Agency

When the Los Angeles Lakers traded for Luke Kennard, it was widely seen as a marginal move given the roster could have used more two-way players instead.

Marcus Smart News / Lakers Nation / May 1

Marcus Smart: Lakers Have To Be ‘Desperate’ To Close Out Rockets In Game 6

Marcus Smart has proven to be a pivotal piece for the Los Angeles Lakers in their playoff series against the Houston Rockets, though the veteran has to find a way to rally the group after dropping two consecutive games.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Lakers Nation / May 1

Front Office Staff Additions Being Considered

Since Mark Walter bought a majority stake in the Los Angeles Lakers, the organization has steadily been hiring executives to round out the business side of things.

Austin Reaves News / Lakers Nation / May 1

Austin Reaves Discusses Offensive Struggles In Return From Oblique Injury

The Los Angeles Lakers got a major boost in Game 5 against the Houston Rockets as Austin Reaves made his return to the floor. Reaves had been sidelined the past four weeks due to a Grade 2 left oblique strain, but came off the bench for Game 5.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Athlon Sports / May 1

Bryce James Sends Message After Former Arizona Teammate’s Commitment Decision

Bryce James’ commitment to Arizona may not have started at the highest level on a personal front, but he has certainly embraced his role as a supportive teammate.

NBA News / Athlon Sports / May 1

NBA Announces Four Mistakes in Lakers' Loss to Rockets

The Los Angeles Lakers' loss to the Houston Rockets in Game 5 of their NBA playoff series wasn't without issues. In fact, there were several officiating mistakes that occurred in the final two minutes of the contest.

NBA News / Yardbarker / April 30