112-108
FINALLos
Angeles Lakers
57-34|L10: 7-3
Houston
Rockets
56-33|L10: 6-4
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Eastern Conference
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LAL • Power Forward • #33
1 day ago
LaRavia’s absence from the injury report indicates that he’ll be available to take the floor for the Lakers on Friday. He’s come off the bench in each of the first two games against the Rockets in this series, posting six total points on 1-of-5 shooting from the field. He’ll likely play a similar role as a reserve in Game 3.
Source: NBA Injury Report
LAL • Shooting Guard • #15
1 day ago
Reaves’ upgrade on the injury report to questionable is an encouraging sign, signaling a potential return to the floor. He hasn’t appeared in a game since April 2, when the Lakers lost to the Thunder. The Lakers have gotten big production from others in Reaves’ absence, specifically from Luke Kennard, who is averaging 25 points through two playoff games. Should Reaves return in Game 3, it’ll likely be as a starter.
Source: Dave McMenamin
HOU • Forward • #35
1 day ago
Durant, who missed Game 1 with a tendon bruise in his right knee, is now dealing with a sprained left ankle. With the Rockets in a 0-2 hole, they can ill afford to be without their best offensive player in Game 3. Reed Sheppard would return to the starting lineup if Durant can’t play.
Source: NBA Injury Report
LAL • Power Forward • #33
1 day ago
LaRavia’s injury should be monitored, but it doesn’t sound very serious. If he’s forced to miss Game 3 at Houston, Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt could see increased run.
Source: Dan Woike
HOU • Forward • #35
3 days ago
While Durant otherwise had a nice game offensively as he led the Rockets with 23 points on 12 attempts from the field, his nine turnovers in Game 2 were glaring. The 37-year-old small forward returned for Game 2 after missing the first game of the series with a knee tendon bruise. Durant and the Rockets will have to regroup and try to hold serve as the series shifts to Houston for Game 3 on Friday.
LAL • Guard • #10
3 days ago
Kennard followed up his 27-point performance in Game 1 with 23 points in Game 2. The Lakers will certainly take this kind of production from Kennard while Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) are still out. Expect more of the same from Kennard until the Lakers get their stars back, though the Lakers will face a tough environment in Houston for Game 3 on Friday.
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #36
3 days ago
Smart had 15 points and one three-pointer in Game 1, but stepped up his offensive production significantly in Game 2, keying a Lakers win. The added scoring from the 32-year-old shooting guard was a welcomed sight for the Lakers with Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) still sidelined. Smart and the Lakers will take on the Rockets in Game 3 on Friday as the series shifts to Houston.
LAL • Small Forward, Power Forward, Point Guard, Center, and Shooting Guard • #23
3 days ago
James shocked everyone in the third quarter when a lane completely opened up and he took the opportunity to throw down a reverse jam. With a minute left in the fourth quarter, another dunk by James essentially sealed the game for the Lakers. In his 23rd season and at 41-years-old, he still managed to play excellent basketball for 38 minutes in each of the first two games of this series. James is now the only player in NBA history at least 40-years-old to have at least 20 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in a playoff games and he’s done it three times. James will keep running the show with Luka Dončić (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) still sidelined.
HOU • Forward • #35
3 days ago
Durant missed Saturday’s Game 1 loss to the Lakers with a knee tendon bruise. The 27-year-old small forward is back for Game 2, according to Charania. Durant will face off in the playoffs against LeBron James for the first time since the 2018 NBA Finals.
Source: Shams Charania
HOU • Forward • #35
5 days ago
Due to a right knee contusion, Durant did not play in Saturday’s Game 1 loss to the Lakers. The veteran forward’s ability to participate in half of Monday’s session is not a good sign, even with Udoka saying that Durant will be a game-time decision for Tuesday’s Game 2. Reed Sheppard moved into the starting lineup in the series opener and struggled, shooting 6-of-20 from the field in 36 minutes of action. If Durant remains out, they’ll need more production from Sheppard and Alperen Şengün to avoid falling into a 0-2 hole.
Source: Will Guillory
HOU • • #
6 days ago
Smith finished Saturday’s defeat with playoff career-highs in points and rebounds, recording his first postseason double-double. He shot 3-of-9 from beyond the arc in Game 1, with the percentage being a few points lower than his mark during the regular season (36.3 percent). Smith is one of many Rockets who benefit from Kevin Durant’s presence on the floor; the veteran scorer did not play on Saturday due to a right knee contusion. If Durant can return for Tuesday’s Game 2, it would be unsurprising if Smith offered a more efficient stat line.
HOU • G • #15
6 days ago
With Kevin Durant (knee) unavailable, Sheppard returned to the Rockets’ starting lineup for Game 1. While the second-year guard has proven himself a competent scorer, he struggled on Saturday. Sheppard shot 5-of-14 from three and 1-of-6 from two, and the eight assists were countered by four turnovers. Regardless of what happens with Durant moving forward, the Rockets will need a more efficient Sheppard if they’re to play deep into the playoffs.
HOU • Guard-Forward • #1
6 days ago
After scoring a career-high 41 points in his final outing of the regular season, Thompson was held to less than half that number on Saturday. While he didn’t have a terrible night shooting the basketball, the Rockets’ guard’s inability to consistently hit jumpers can put him in a challenging spot when the opposition is locked in defensively. The Lakers were able to make Thompson play in a crowd for most of Game 1, limiting his effectiveness as a scorer. Getting Kevin Durant (knee) back for Tuesday’s Game 2 will help the entire Rockets’ roster, not just Thompson.
HOU • Center • #28
6 days ago
With no Kevin Durant (knee) in the fold for Game 1, this felt like a spot in which the Rockets would run even more of their offense through Şengün. While he did attempt 19 shots, there were moments when Şengün was not as involved in the offense as he should be. The final stat line was solid, but the Rockets are going to need more from him, regardless of Durant’s availability for the rest of the series. Houston will look to even the series at one game apiece on Tuesday night.
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #36
6 days ago
Smart didn’t have the most efficient game, shooting below 50 percent from the field and committing five turnovers. Give the veteran guard credit for dishing out eight assists and recording three “stocks,” so all wasn’t lost for those competing in playoff fantasy leagues. The Lakers host Game 2 on Tuesday night, and they’ll need a cleaner performance from Smart than what he provided on Saturday.
LAL • Center • #2
6 days ago
No Luka Dončić or Austin Reaves means that there is more room for Ayton to step up offensively, and he played well in Saturday’s series opener. The 7-footer recorded a double-double on 80 percent shooting from the field while also leading the Lakers in rebounds. When Ayton is engaged early on, he’s usually fine for the rest of the night, which was the case in Game 1. The Lakers will need more of that from him if they’re to have a chance of winning the series.
LAL • Small Forward, Power Forward, Point Guard, Center, and Shooting Guard • #23
6 days ago
James made more history in Saturday’s series opener, passing John Stockton to become the oldest player in league history to dish out at least 10 assists in a playoff game. LeBron made a concerted effort to get his teammates going, and the result was a more confident group with all five starters scoring at least 14 points. With it unknown when Luka Dončić (hamstring) or Austin Reaves (oblique) will be healthy enough to play, LeBron will continue to shoulder most of the playmaking responsibilities.
LAL • Guard • #10
6 days ago
With no Luka Dončić (hamstring) or Austin Reaves (oblique), the Lakers were going to need more production from Kennard in Saturday’s playoff opener. The veteran sharpshooter answered the call, making all five of his three-point attempts and scoring a playoff career-high 27 points. Kennard also shot 50 percent from inside the arc in one of his best performances of the season. The Lakers will need a similar performance from Kennard in Game 2 on Tuesday.
HOU • G • #15
6 days ago
Three of the four best players in this series won’t be available for Game 1, as Kevin Durant has joined the Lakers’ Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves on the sidelines due to a knee contusion. Sheppard returns to the starting lineup, and he’ll shoulder a heavy workload along with Thompson and Şengün as playmakers within the Rockets’ offense.
Source: Matt Thomas
HOU • Forward • #35
6 days ago
Initially questionable, Durant will miss Saturday’s series-opener due to a right knee contusion. During his pregame availability, Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said that he hopes this is a one-game issue. With no Durant, Reed Sheppard will move into the starting lineup after coming off the bench the last time that Houston was close to full strength.
Source: Dave McMenamin
LAL • Center • #11
7 days ago
Hayes hasn’t taken the floor since April 5 against the Mavericks, as a foot injury has kept him on the sidelines. However, the injury-hit Lakers get a bit of good news on Friday, as the athletic center’s name is no longer on the injury report. He’ll likely come off the bench in his return.
Source: NBA Injury Report
HOU • Forward • #35
7 days ago
Durant’s status comes after resting in the regular-season finale against the Grizzlies. Now with Game 1 approaching, his uncertain availability is undoubtedly worth monitoring. Durant, a two-time NBA Finals MVP, averaged 26.0 points and 4.8 assists per game this season. If unable to go, his superstar production will be missed in Game 1, which will be without Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves on the Lakers’ side.
Source: Law Murray