Kevin Durant misses playoff opener with knee injury, and the Rockets can’t make up for his absence

In the first game of their first-round NBA playoff series on April 18, 2026, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Houston Rockets 107-98. Kevin Durant was ruled out for the Rockets shortly before the game due to a bruised right knee. Both teams were missing their top scorer, as the Lakers were without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. The Lakers had five starters score in double digits and shot over 60% from the field. Houston struggled to score efficiently, with only one player shooting over 50% from the field, despite securing 21 offensive rebounds. Alperen Sengun led the Rockets with 19 points, while Reed Sheppard and Amen Thompson each added 17.

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Houston Rockets 107-98 in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday. The Lakers, playing without injured leading scorers Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, were led by Luke Kennard's playoff-high 27 points and LeBron James' 19 points and 13 assists. Houston was also without a key player, Kevin Durant, due to a knee injury. Los Angeles shot 60.6% from the field, while holding Houston to 37.6%. Alperen Sengun scored 19 points for the Rockets, who were considered the favorites entering the series due to the Lakers' injuries. Game 2 is scheduled for Tuesday in Los Angeles.