Latest news and updates about the Lakers
When a team is shorthanded like the Lakers are, the only way to not only survive but thrive is for everyone who is available to step up. The Lakers have gotten that during this postseason from Marcus Smart. One of the ways he’s stepped up is as a vocal leader. As a 12-year veteran and […]
Playoff basketball demands a higher level of intensity. The stakes are raised, which means every possession matters more, every game can swing a series and the focus on physicality has to be elevated. If there’s a player on the Lakers who knows this and is capable of it better than most, it’s LeBron James. At […]
When Marcus Smart joined the Lakers, the hope was that he could remain healthy and become a defensive anchor for this team. After seasons with the Grizzlies and Wizards, he could come to Los Angeles and play better basketball at higher stakes. Well, he’s done all that and more for the Lakers. He’s been a […]
The path to seeing Luka Dončić back on the floor with the Lakers is long and unknown. Ever since he went down with a hamstring strain against the Thunder back in early April, he’s done everything possible to return, including traveling to Spain to get treatment on his injury. Luka remains out indefinitely and isn’t […]
LOS ANGELES — As news broke on Tuesday night that Kevin Durant’s status had been upgraded to available, the collective tension in Crypto.com Arena rose. The tone of seriousness, implications, and magnitude of the game completely changed. Durant was an inferno in the first quarter, hitting every pull-up jump shot, but the purple and […]
In Tuesday’s Brotherhood Playoff Action, Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics lost to the Philadelphia 76ers 111-97; Mason Plumlee and the San Antonio Spurs fell to the Portland Trail Blazers 106-103, while Luke Kennard helped lead JJ Redick’s Los Angeles Lakers to a 101-94 win over the Houston Rockets. Tatum just missed a triple-double with 19 […]
(Please note I am currently in a deep basketball-induced depression and will be in mourning for the next 24 hours – Holly) On Tuesday night, the Rockets and Lakers kicked off Game 2 of the first round. Houston was looking to even things out. This series has been pretty weird so far. I mean, Luka […]
LOS ANGELES — Back in March, the Lakers were winning games thanks to an incredibly potent offense. One month later, they’re winning playoff games on the back of their defense. A necessary change following injuries to Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, the Lakers are suffocating the Rockets. In Game 2, that defense forced 15 turnovers as […]
The Lakers can write a hearty book of all the role players who have stepped up in big moments throughout the franchise’s history. When you win 17 NBA titles, that list is pretty long, in fact. While Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard are not quite at the levels of the elites in Lakers lore, what […]
With Kevin Durant back in the fold and the Rockets desperate to push as hard as possible to take a split back to Houston, the Lakers were able to match the Rockets’ physicality and fend them off down the stretch to hold on for a 101-94 victory and take control of the series with a […]
In a rock fight of a Game 2, the Lakers did just enough to go ahead 2-0 in the series with a 101-94 win over the Rockets. Offense was a precious commodity throughout the contest, a change of pace from the opening game of the series. As the game went on, the defenses took over, […]
Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers Game 2 – April 21, 2026 Location: Crypto.com arena, Los Angeles, CA TV: NBC/Peacock Radio:KBME Sports Talk 790 / KLTN 102.9 (en español) Online: Peacock Time: 9:30 PM CST Probable Starting Lineups Rockets: Reed Sheppard, Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun Lakers: Luke Kennard, Marcus Smart, […]
When Austin Reaves and Luka Dončić went down with their injuries, head coach JJ Redick said it was the team’s responsibility to keep winning long enough for them to come back. Saturday’s victory in Game 1 against the Rockets was the first step in doing just that. The good news is that one of those […]
In the extensive list of stories that could have come out about the Lakers during the postseason, Jaxson Hayes becoming Slovenian could not have possibly landed on anyone’s radar. And yet, on Monday, Hayes confirmed that he had secured his Slovenian passport, making good on a story that popped up earlier in the season. Now, […]
Following the first matchup of any playoff series, both teams, win or lose, return to the drawing board and strategize what they can take forward in future contests. For the Lakers, missing their star shot creators in Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves means the offense will be a journey every night. The regular season numbers […]
The days of LeBron and Bronny sharing the court together in only a ceremonial sense are long, long gone. While it was a great moment in his rookie season to have the father-and-son duo play together to start last season, Bronny was clearly out of his depth. It’s only at this point, late in his […]
The Rockets have been battle-tested by injuries all year, and just hours before tipoff of their second consecutive playoff appearance, they were dealt another blow. All-Star forward Kevin Durant was ruled out for Game 1 with a right knee contusion that head coach Ime Udoka said he suffered during practice on Wednesday. “Hopefully it’s a […] The post Kevin Durant rejoins Rockets’ lineup in Game 2 at Lakers appeared first on ClutchFans .
The tale of the tape in the Houston Rockets’ opening round postseason matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers was one that hinged on health. Especially heading into the series. The Los Angeles Lakers were seemingly at their weakest, as the team was forced to play without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves seemingly for the entirety […]
The injuries to Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves mean the asks of the Lakers’ role players have increased, both in terms of responsibilities and expected production. For a player like Deandre Ayton, who has been under a microscope for most of the season, it puts even more pressure on him, which can lead to a […]
The first round series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets continues on Tuesday. L.A. looks to take further control of the matchup and protect homecourt by going for 2-0. Start time and TV schedule Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets When: 7:30 p.m. PT, Apr. 21 Where: Crypto.com Arena Watch: NBC, Peacock Just when it […]
The Houston Rockets will look to bounce back tonight against the Los Angeles Lakers. In Game 1, Houston was definitely off their game without Kevin Durant. The injury clearly happened late in the week and threw the Rockets off their game. It added immediate pressure to a series in which Houston is favored thanks to […]
CLEVELAND — Telling someone back in 2015 that a Cleveland Cavaliers head coach would compare his point guard, James Harden, to Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James would probably break their brain. We live in a weird world. The Cavs have been rolling offensively since adding Harden in February. The speed at which he processes […]
Going into his 19th playoff run, it’s remarkable that LeBron James is still capable of breaking records. And yet, on Saturday, the league’s greatest scorer and all-time leader in games played collected eight assists in the first quarter in the Lakers’ Game 1 win over the Rockets, a career high for any quarter of a […]
In last season’s Game 1 against the Wolves, the Lakers admitted they weren’t prepared for what was awaiting them. The result was them falling behind the eight ball from the jump and being forced to unsuccessfully play catch-up. Given that the team awaiting them in this year’s first round was a very physical Rockets team, […]
The Houston Rockets were without star forward and leading scorer Kevin Durant in Game 1 versus the L.A. Lakers due to a knee bruise he suffered in practice last week. According to Ime Udoka, it was a mobility issue for KD and not a pain one. Whether that’s just the coach covering for his player […]