Latest news and updates about the Rockets
After defending their home court in the first two games, the Lakers headed to Houston knowing they would receive the Rockets’ best punch in Game 3. And that they did. With the news they would be without Kevin Durant for the second time in the series, the Rockets played every bit like a team whose […]
A couple of weeks ago, the thought of the Lakers being lucky injury-wise was laughable. However, now that they’ve played three playoff games, LA is trending in a positive direction with its injuries, and other Western Conference teams are in trouble. The Denver Nuggets are trailing 2-1 in their series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and […]
A miracle close to regulation saw the Lakers force overtime before controlling the extra session to steal Game 3, 112-108, and take a commanding series lead. Houston trailed by as many as 15 in the first half but was the aggressor for the entire second half. Up six with just under 30 seconds left, the […]
For the second time in this series, the Rockets will be without Kevin Durant. After missing Game 1 with a knee contusion, KD will miss Game 3 on Friday with an ankle sprain suffered in Tuesday’s Game 2 win for the Lakers. This appears to be the play in which Durant tweaked his ankle, coming […]
Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers April 24, 2026 Location: Toyota Center – Houston, Texas TV:Prime Video Radio:KBME Sports Talk 790 / KLTN 102.9 (en español) Online: Prime Video Time: 7:00 PM CST Probable Starting Lineups Rockets: Reed Sheppard, Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun Lakers: Luke Kennard, Marcus Smart, Jake Laravia, Lebron James, Deandre […]
Can someone explain to me how the Houston Rockets are 9.5-point favorites tonight in Game 3 against the Los Angeles Lakers? Sure, I get that the game is in Houston. The Rockets are in desperation mode after dropping the first two games in LA. Role players almost always play better at home than on the […]
The series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets shifts to the latter’s homebase on Friday. The Lakers look to take a commanding 3-0 lead in Game 3. Start time and TV schedule Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets When: 5 p.m. PT, Apr. 24 Where: Toyota Center Watch: Prime Video Just when everyone thought the […]
There are still some steps left, but Lakers fans can start getting excited about Austin Reaves returning. Reaves has missed all of the postseason so far, but he is now listed as questionable for Game 3 against the Rockets. He has been doing on-court work, but this is the first time he’s been upgraded to […]
Though Kevin Durant (right knee contusion) did return to the lineup, the Rockets now face a 0–2 series deficit after another mediocre offensive showing in their Game 2 loss. Game 3 of the best-of-seven, first-round playoff series is Friday night inside Houston’s Toyota Center. Tipoff versus the Los Angeles Lakers is at 7:00 p.m. Central, […] The post Despite return of Kevin Durant, Rockets dig deeper series hole appeared first on ClutchFans .
The Lakers don’t win Game 2 against the Rockets without Marcus Smart’s efforts. In the opening quarter, he was the most aggressive player on the court. He took seven shots and converted on five of them, including a trio of threes. Smart ended the quarter with 14 points, which was part of a 25-point performance. […]
After the Lakers took Game 1, desperation naturally had to set in for the Rockets. No team wants to fall down 2-0, as those who hold that lead go on to win 92.7% of the time. Houston was held to an abysmal 37% from the floor in the playoff opener, setting the stage for superstar […]
I don’t know if the Rockets are going to come back and win this series or not. I’ll admit it looks bleak. However, I’ve seen too many things happen in sports to write them off completely. Here’s what I do know. If they go out, they better go out with a fight, and that starts […]
Amen Thompson’s third season was one to remember, as it saw Thompson take on a larger offensive role. ESPN revealed earlier this week that the Houston guard/forward collected a few second-place votes for Defensive Player of the Year, with the San Antonio Spurs Victor Wembenyama winning the award unanimously. Thompson has received mixed reviews for […]
(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, […]
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 […]
Hindsight is 20/20. Foresight is not. So, arguing with the benefit of hindsight will annoy people. Still, if it’s contrary to a view that you’d expressed with (deeply flawed) foresight, it’s responsible. All of which is to say, I thought Fred VanVleet over James Harden was the right call. Now, I think it was a […]
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 […]