By: Jennifer Portee
4/22/2026
The Lakers are missing some key guys, but you wouldn’t know it by the way they’re battling out there.
With key pieces still out, LeBron James stepped up like it was nothing new, putting up 28 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists to lead Los Angeles past Houston 101-94. Now they’re heading into Game 3 up 2-0, playing with plenty of confidence.
At 41, LeBron isn’t just playing he’s dictating everything. Every possession, every moment that matters, he’s right in the middle of it. And with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves sidelined, the rest of the squad followed his lead and brought the energy.
Marcus Smart came through in a big way, dropping 25 points, knocking down five threes, and setting the tone defensively. Luke Kennard matched that intensity with 23 points of his own, spacing the floor and hitting shots when the Lakers needed breathing room.
Late in the fourth, with Houston trying to hang around, Smart spotted LeBron cutting and delivered a perfect feed for a powerful two hand slam that brought the building to life. Kennard handled the rest from the line, calmly sealing it.
For the Rockets, Kevin Durant’s return didn’t flip things the way Houston hoped. He finished with 23 points, but most of that damage came early. The Lakers tightened up after halftime, forcing tough looks and making every touch uncomfortable.
Houston had chances but couldn’t capitalize. Alperen Sengun put up a solid 20 and 11, while Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson added their numbers, but the Rockets struggled to convert, missing shots they usually make and failing to find consistency from deep.
Durant faced pressure from the jump, dealing with double teams and defensive attention that disrupted the flow. It showed not just in his shot attempts, but in the turnovers that stalled Houston’s rhythm.
Meanwhile, Smart continues to look like a perfect fit in L.A. His toughness, shot making, and playmaking have given the Lakers a different feel, especially with the roster shorthanded. When he’s locked in like this, it changes everything.
Now the series go to Houston, where the Rockets will try to reset and respond. But with LeBron running the show and everyone else stepping up around him, the Lakers just look in control and confident right now.