The Los Angeles Lakers will look to go up 2-0 in their series against the Houston Rockets. Meanwhile, the Rockets are aiming to level the series before it shifts to Houston for Games 3 and 4.

Catch this game live on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at 10:30 AM, Manila time.

Away: Houston Rockets (0-1)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Amen Thompson
  • Reed Sheppard
  • Kevin Durant (GTD)
  • Jabari Smith Jr. 
  • Alperen Sengun 

There is no greater concern heading into Game of the series for the Rockets than the availability of Kevin Durant. The former league MVP was a late scratch in Game 1 with a bruised right knee, as the Rockets suffered a 107-98 loss. 

Durant’s status for Game 2 is still up in the air as of this writing. For what it’s worth. Houston head coach Ime Udoka said that Durant partially participated in the team’s practice on Tuesday. If Durant ends up missing another game, Reed Sheppard could get another starting nod, but he is also coming off an awful 6/20 shooting in the series opener. 

Alperen Sengun also struggled with his shot in that contest, going 6/19 for 19 points. If not for an unexpected 7/7 shooting from Tari Eason, Houston would have shot even worse than 38% from the floor. Maybe it gets better for the Rockets with or without Durant, if Sengun’s and Sheppard’s shooting normalizes.

Home: Los Angeles Lakers (1-0)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Luke Kennard
  • Marcus Smart
  • Jake LaRavia
  • LeBron James
  • Deandre Ayton

The Lakers passed their very first postseason test without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, who are both not expected to play in the entire first round. 

With LeBron James guiding the ship and his former AAU player stepping up, Los Angeles thwarted the Rockets. James had a near-trip-dub of 19 points (9/15 FG), 13 assists and 8 rebounds, while Luke Kennard paced LA with 27 points on 9/13 shooting and 5/5 from behind the arc. 

It will be a challenge for Kennard to prove he can sustain that form in Game 2, but what’s certain is that he’ll get ample touches and looks. Deandre Ayton also delivered for LA, with 19 points and 11 boards, as he seemingly was on the same page with James.  Although James remains dependable, the LA’s younger legs will have to keep it up as the series goes deeper, with fatigue a bigger threat to the four-time NBA MVP at this point in his career.

PICKS

Spread: Houston Rockets (-5.0)
Over/Under: Over (207.0)