The Rockets had their finest player back in the lineup against the Lakers on Tuesday night time after he sat out of Saturday’s Game 1.
But even with Kevin Durant accessible and having a sizzling begin, Game 2 performed out equally to the playoffs series-opener, with the Lakers beating the Rockets 101-94 at Crypto.com Arena to take a two-game lead in the best-of-seven first spherical collection.
Durant led the Rockets with 23 factors, six rebounds and 4 assists after lacking the first recreation of the collection because of a proper knee contusion.
But the Lakers once again stifled the Rockets’ offense.
And they were ready to get just enough offense out of their own team, which remained with out injured star guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, to decide up a pivotal victory before going on the street for the next two video games of the collection.
LeBron James scored a team-high 28 factors to go with eight rebounds and seven assists. Luke Kennard had 23 factors and six rebounds, while Marcus Smart stuffed the stat sheet with 25 factors, seven assists and 5 steals.
What it means
The Lakers have a 2-0 collection lead over the Rockets, the first time they’ve carried out so since successful the 2020 NBA Finals against the Heat.
Since the NBA moved to a 16-team playoff format in 1984, groups that go up 2-0 in a collection under the 2-2-1-1-1 home/away sample have a 245-23 file (91.4% successful proportion of the collection).
LeBron, who had a game-high 28 factors, goes up for a dunk during the Lakers’ 101-94 win over the Rockets in Game 2 of their first-round collection on April 21, 2026 in Los Angeles. NBAE via Getty Images
Turning level
When Smart knocked down a nook 3 to give the Lakers a 95-87 lead with 2:23 left in the recreation.
The shot was not only Smart’s fifth 3-pointer, but gave the Lakers respiration room late.
Smart also picked up a essential steal against Durant, who had 9 turnovers, before aiding James on a dunk to give the Lakers a 99-92 lead.
Kevin Durant appears to be like to seize a unfastened ball as Marcus Smart defends during the Lakers’ Game 2 win over the Rockets in Los Angeles. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
MVP: Marcus Smart
Smart made 5 of the Lakers’ 13 3s.
He made massive performs on both ends of the ground all through Tuesday.
Stat of the recreation: 6
That’s how many more 3-pointers the Lakers made in contrast to the Rockets, who once again struggled offensively.
The Rockets shot 7 of 29 from beyond the arc (24.1%) in contrast to the Lakers’ 13 of 28 capturing on 3s (46.4%).
Up next
The Lakers-Rockets collection will transfer to Houston for the next two video games, with Game 3 happening on Friday at Toyota Center.
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