APTOPIX Lakers Rockets Basketball

Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) blocks a shot by Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) during the first half of Game 6 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series in Houston, Friday, May 1, 2026.

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NBA tipoff: Round 2 continues Wednesday with 76ers-Knicks, Timberwolves-Spurs

NBA tipoff: Round 2 continues Wednesday with 76ers-Knicks, Timberwolves-Spurs

The good news for the Los Angeles Lakers: They held MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to 18 points. The good news for the Oklahoma City Thunder: They won Game 1 against the Lakers by 18 points. For the first time this season, Gilgeous-Alexander was held under 20 points. And it didn’t matter, with the Thunder easing past the Lakers 108-90 to open their Western Conference semifinal series on Tuesday night. Also Tuesday, Detroit took a 1-0 Eastern Conference semifinal series lead over Cleveland with a 111-101 win behind 23 points from Cade Cunningham.