Rockets Lakers Basketball

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, right, passes the ball while under pressure from Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant during the first half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in Los Angeles.

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LeBron scores 28, leads short-handed Lakers past Durant's Rockets again 101-94 for 2-0 series lead

LeBron scores 28, leads short-handed Lakers past Durant's Rockets again 101-94 for 2-0 series lead

LeBron James had 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, and the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers outlasted the Houston Rockets for a 101-94 victory and a stunning 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series. Marcus Smart had 25 points and seven assists for the Lakers, who have twice overcome the absences of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves with a team effort led by the 41-year-old James. Los Angeles did it again in Game 2 despite the return of Kevin Durant, who scored just three of his 23 points in the second half against the Lakers’ tenacious defense.