Los Angeles Lakers: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Deandre Ayton: Lakers ‘Did What We Were Supposed To Do’ In Game 1 Win Vs. Rockets

The Los Angeles Lakers went into their first-round series as huge underdogs against the Houston Rockets, but they landed the first punch with a Game 1 win at home after Kevin Durant was ruled out, joining Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves as All-Star-caliber players unable to suit up.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Marcus Smart Reveals When He Knew Lakers Were Ready For Rockets

With the Los Angeles Lakers taking on the Houston Rockets in the first round without their two leading scorers in Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, the importance of Marcus Smart grew even larger due to his experience and toughness.

NBA News / Total Pro Sports / April 19

Derek Fisher Compares LeBron James to Magic Johnson With Bold Late-Career Take

During Spectrum SportsNet coverage, plenty of people have been asking the same question lately: How much does LeBron James still have left? The Los Angeles Lakers entered their playoff opener with concerns around health and scoring support, but James did, in fact, shut down the noise.

Luke Kennard News / Lakers Nation / April 19

Luke Kennard’s Perfect 3-Point Shooing Achieves Lakers Playoff First Since Robert Horry

Although the Los Angeles Lakers began their first-round matchup without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, LeBron James continued to fill an all-around role and it was Luke Kennard who led all scorers with 27 points against the Houston Rockets in Game 1.

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

Los Angeles Lakers News / EssentiallySports / April 19

NBA Playoffs 2026: Why Lakers Prevailed in Game 1 Over Rockets Without Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves

LOS ANGELES – For a 23-year veteran like LeBron James, leading a playoff team without two of its top scorers is not a crisis. It is just another challenge.

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 19

LeBron James Pleased With Lakers’ Composure In Game 1 Win Over Rockets

LeBron James’ playoff experience is vast and needs to draw on all of it if he hopes to lead the Los Angeles Lakers past the Houston Rockets in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Lakers Nation / April 19

JJ Redick: Kevin Durant Missing Game 1 Didn’t Affect Lakers’ Mentality Against Rockies

People outside of the Los Angeles Lakers organization didn’t give them much of a chance to advance past the Houston Rockets in round one of the 2026 NBA Playoffs.

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.

Los Angeles Lakers News / The Spun / April 19

Lakers Are Getting Ripped For Bronny James Playoff Decision

The Lakers topped the Rockets in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round playoff series, 107-98, on Saturday evening. Los Angeles took an important 1-0 series lead against Houston, which was playing without star forward Kevin Durant.

Kobe Bryant News / HITC / April 19

Ex-Laker shares 2013 story of Kobe Bryant meeting idol who passed away last week

Oscar Schmidt, one of basketball’s greatest international players, passed away on Friday at the age of 68 after suffering a cardiopulmonary arrest, following a long battle with a brain tumour.

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

NBA News / Athlon Sports / April 19

Shannon Sharpe Points Out Major Shortcoming Despite Lakers Win Over Rockets

The Los Angeles Lakers got the result they wanted with a 107-98 playoff win over the Houston Rockets, but Shannon Sharpe is not completely convinced everything is fine.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Lakers Nation / April 19

Luke Kennard & LeBron James Dismantle Rockets In Game 1

The Los Angeles Lakers closed the 2025-26 season on a three-game winning streak, but were still considered massive underdogs going into their first-round matchup against the Houston Rockets.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Athlon Sports / April 19

D’Angelo Russell Makes Lakers Move During NBA Playoffs

The world watched the Los Angeles Lakers open their first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets on Saturday night at Crypto.com Arena. Los Angeles played without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, while Houston’s Kevin Durant was ruled out with a knee injury before tip-off.

Los Angeles Lakers News / NBA on ClutchPoints / April 19

Lakers’ Marcus Smart drops 3 word take on LeBron James’ importance vs. Rockets

The Los Angeles Lakers opened their first-round playoff series with a 107-98 Game 1 win over the Houston Rockets on Saturday night, thanks to efficiency, ball movement, and a commendable performance from multiple contributors.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Fadeaway World / April 19

JJ Redick Praises LeBron James, Luke Kennard, And Deandre Ayton After Big Game 1 Win Over Rockets

The Los Angeles Lakers have gone up 1-0 in their first-round series against the Houston Rockets following a 107-98 win at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday.

NBA News / Yardbarker / April 19

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

With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves both out of action and unlikely to return in the series, the Los Angeles Lakers were led by an unlikely hero on Saturday night.

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

All-Star duo leads Nuggets to ugly Game 1 win over Timberwolves

Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray show why Nuggets are still title contenders

Anthony Edwards had a curious reaction to Timberwolves’ loss

NBA stars under the most pressure to perform in playoffs

Los Angeles Lakers News / Athlon Sports / April 18

Lakers’ JJ Redick Announces Luka Doncic Update Before Rockets Game

The Los Angeles Lakers’ postseason begins Saturday under less-than-ideal circumstances. Their first-round series against Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets