Lakers Edge Rockets in Playoff Opener as Kennard Shines LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Lakers secured a 107-98 victory over the Houston Rockets in the first game of their Western Conference first-round playoff series on Saturday night, taking a 1-0 series lead. The win came despite the Lakers being without their top two scorers, LeBron James and Kevin Durant, and highlighted their ability to adapt and execute under challenging circumstances. Luke Kennard, acquired by the Lakers in early February, delivered a career playoff-high 27 points, while LeBron James contributed 19 points and 13 assists. The fourth-seeded Lakers capitalized on the absence of Durant, who was ruled out due to a bruised right knee, and the prolonged absence of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, both sidelined with injuries since April 2. The Lakers’ performance was defined by their shooting efficiency and defensive intensity. They shot 60.6% from the field, compared to the Rockets’ 37.6% shooting, and limited Houston to just 21 offensive rebounds. Despite attempting only 66 field goals—the fewest in an NBA game in the past three seasons—the Lakers’ balanced attack and relentless defense proved decisive. “With so much firepower missing, we all had to step up,” James said after his 19th NBA postseason. “We protected each other offensively and defensively, and that’s what it takes to win in the playoffs.” Houston’s fifth-seeded squad, led by Alperen Sengun (19 points) and Jabari Smith Jr. (16 points, 12 rebounds), struggled to find consistency. Despite a strong start, the Rockets’ shooting woes persisted, and their inability to capitalize on opportunities left them trailing. Coach Ime Udoka acknowledged the team’s shortcomings, stating, “We won a lot of areas, but just shot poorly.#lebron_james #los_angeles_lakers #houston_rockets #alperen_sengun #luke_kennard
Lakers’ Luke Kennard thriving in new role with increased on-ball usage The Los Angeles Lakers’ Luke Kennard has emerged as a pivotal player in the team’s late-season push, transitioning from a primary 3-point shooter to a key playmaker with increased on-ball responsibilities. This shift has been driven by the absence of key ball-handlers Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves due to injuries, forcing head coach JJ Redick to reevaluate Kennard’s role. Redick acknowledged the long-standing perception of Kennard as a shooter, a label that has followed him since his early basketball days. However, the coach emphasized that Kennard’s value extends far beyond his shooting ability, particularly in the team’s current circumstances. Redick highlighted the challenges Kennard has faced throughout his career, noting that the stigma surrounding his role as a white player with a high shooting percentage has often overshadowed his versatility. “It’s easy because he’s a white guy that shoots well, to just think he’s just a shooter,” Redick said after a recent win over the Golden State Warriors. “That’s just the reality of the situation.” Despite this, Kennard has proven his adaptability, stepping into a more central role as the Lakers’ fill-in point guard. The turning point came during a critical period for the Lakers, following the injuries to Doncic and Reaves. Redick and Kennard engaged in a conversation in Dallas, where the injuries occurred, to discuss the need for Kennard to take on greater responsibilities. Kennard expressed confidence in his ability to handle the increased workload, stating, “He came right to me and was like, ‘Hey, you’re going to have the ball in your hands a lot, and we need you to do that.#lakers #jj_redick #dallas_mavericks #golden_state_warriors #luke_kennard
Luke Kennard Describes 'Full-Circle Moment' Playing Alongside LeBron James The Los Angeles Lakers’ roster has undergone significant upheaval in recent weeks, with injuries to key players Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves forcing a dramatic shift in the team’s offensive strategy. This unexpected change has thrust 6’5” guard Luke Kennard into a central role as a primary ball-handler alongside LeBron James, a position that Kennard has described as a “full-circle moment” in his career. The former Duke Blue Devil, who previously served as a spot-up shooter and occasional attacking threat, is now tasked with orchestrating plays in the paint, a role that has required rapid adaptation and a renewed sense of responsibility. Kennard’s transformation has been evident in his recent performances, as he has seamlessly transitioned from a perimeter shooter to a playmaker capable of initiating the offense alongside James. During a recent blowout win, Kennard showcased his ability to handle the increased workload, executing precise passes and maintaining composure under pressure. His efforts have not gone unnoticed, with the Lakers’ coaching staff and teammates recognizing the value of his contributions. “It’s definitely a full-circle moment for sure,” Kennard said after the game, reflecting on his journey from a high school player who idolized James to a teammate now sharing the court with him. “From high school, playing on his AAU team, and now sitting next to him in the locker room. We’re running a lot of two-man action in a game together. So yeah, it’s definitely something I don’t take for granted.” The partnership between Kennard and James has been a focal point of the Lakers’ offense, with the duo creating opportunities through deliberate, high-percentage plays.#lakers #lebron_james #luke_kennard #james #redick
Lakers Edge Magic in High-Stakes Showdown The Los Angeles Lakers secured a hard-fought victory over the Orlando Magic in a thrilling matchup, with LeBron James breaking the NBA record for most career games played. James, who surpassed the milestone in the fourth quarter, led the Lakers with 28 points and 12 rebounds, while Luka Doncic poured in 33 points for the Magic. Despite Doncic’s efforts, the Lakers’ resilience shone through, culminating in a last-second three-pointer by Luke Kennard that sealed the 112-109 win. The game was a back-and-forth battle, with the Lakers taking control in the second half. Doncic, playing for the Magic, showcased his scoring prowess, hitting key shots in the paint and from beyond the arc. However, the Lakers’ defense, anchored by James’ presence, stifled Doncic’s rhythm in the final minutes. Kennard’s game-winning shot came after a tense sequence in which the Magic’s Paolo Banchero attempted a contested layup that was blocked by Rui Hachimura. The first quarter saw the Lakers dominate, outscoring the Magic 37-23. Key plays included Luka Doncic’s 33-point performance, LeBron James’ record-breaking milestone, and Kennard’s clutch three-pointer. The Magic, led by Doncic’s 33 points, fought back in the third quarter, but the Lakers’ balanced scoring and defensive stops proved too much. With the win, the Lakers improved to 12-8 on the season, while the Magic fell to 10-10. The game’s intensity and dramatic finish highlighted the competitive nature of the NBA, with James’ historic achievement and Kennard’s heroics serving as the defining moments.#lebron_james #luka_doncic #los_angeles_lakers #orlando_magic #luke_kennard
JJ Redick Reveals Unique Aspect of Luke Kennard’s Contribution to Lakers The Los Angeles Lakers made a strategic move before the NBA trade deadline by acquiring sharpshooter Luke Kennard in a deal with the Atlanta Hawks. In exchange for veteran guard Gabe Vincent and a second-round draft pick, the Lakers secured Kennard, a player known for his shooting ability. While the trade wasn’t as high-profile as last year’s blockbuster acquisition of Luka Doncic, it addressed a key need for the Lakers: improving their outside shooting efficiency. Kennard’s impact with the Lakers has been immediate. In his ninth game with the team, he delivered his best performance yet, scoring 16 points while contributing three rebounds, three assists, and a steal. He shot 6-for-10 from the field and 4-for-7 from beyond the arc, showcasing his ability to stretch the floor. Lakers head coach JJ Redick praised Kennard’s contributions during a post-game press conference, highlighting how the player has adapted to the team’s system and elevated his game. Redick emphasized that Kennard has found his rhythm in Los Angeles, outperforming his previous averages with the Hawks. In nine games with the Lakers, Kennard is averaging 10.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. His shooting percentages are also impressive, with a 64.8% field goal clip and 45.8% three-point accuracy. These numbers have earned him the trust of the coaching staff and teammates, solidifying his role as a reliable offensive weapon. The Lakers’ brass has long sought to bolster their perimeter shooting, and Kennard’s ability to consistently hit from distance aligns with their goals. His presence on the court not only provides scoring options but also creates space for other players, allowing the team to operate more fluidly.#lakers #jj_redick #atlanta_hawks #gabriel_vincent #luke_kennard
Luke Kennard is already threatening to lead the Lakers in one crucial category Luke Kennard was brought in to make it rain from beyond the arc. The new Los Angeles Lakers sharpshooter has done just that 11 games into his stint in Hollywood. Kennard has been so effective that he is already pushing to be the statistical leader in one key category for the Lakers. It is not secret to anyone in Los Angeles that the second unit has been incredibly ineffective in 2025-26. The Lakers rank 29th in the NBA when it comes to bench scoring, only outpacing the Houston Rockets in that category. The poor scoring efforts have left the team lacking in another category too. The Lakers rank 29th in the NBA when it comes to 3-pointers made from their bench, only placing higher than the woeful shooters of the Orlando Magic. This area has been so lacking throughout 2025-26 that Kennard is already well on his way to being the team leader from any individual player. Kennard has appeared in 10 games off the bench for the Lakers. In those outings, the veteran sniper has pocketed 15 made 3-point shots. That puts him halfway to Dalton Knecht, who leads the category with 30 made triples as a part of the second unit for Los Angeles in his 45 appearances. Luke Kennard is quickly becoming the Lakers' most dangerous bench threat At his current pace, Kennard would be projected to overtake Knecht in about 10 more games played. There is one caveat that could make that journey more challenging, though. Rui Hachimura is known to be a threat from the perimeter for the Lakers. Hachimura has also been moved back to the bench permanently for some time now. Rui is tied for second on the team with Gabe Vincent from 3-pointers made off the bench with 28. That number is not going to sit still.#lakers #gabriel_vincent #dalton_knecht #rui_hachimura #luke_kennard
