Few expected this, but the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers, missing Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, are thriving as they leaned once more on their 41-year-old superstar. LeBron James delivered 28 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists to lead Los Angeles past Kevin Durant’s Houston Rockets, 101–94, on Wednesday, giving the Lakers a stunning 2–0 lead in their NBA first-round series.
James controlled the game throughout, steadying a Lakers team that has thrived despite missing two of its top scorers. His late dunk off a Marcus Smart feed with 55 seconds left punctuated the win, and Luke Kennard’s free throws iced it.
Smart and Kennard Step Up
Smart added 25 points and 7 assists, while Kennard chipped in 23. Both shot 8-for-13 from the field, combining for 24 points in the opening quarter to set the tone. Los Angeles built a 15-point lead in the second before Houston clawed back after halftime, but the Lakers held firm.
Smart, the longtime Celtics guard now in Los Angeles, has given the Lakers toughness and playmaking in the postseason after missing much of the regular-season stretch run. Kennard’s shooting has been equally vital, keeping the Rockets chasing all night.
Durant Returns, Rockets Struggle
Durant, back from a right knee bruise that kept him out of Game 1, scored 23 points but managed only 3 in the second half. He took just 12 shots and committed 9 turnovers against the Lakers’ defense.
Alperen Sengun had 20 points and 11 rebounds, Jabari Smith Jr. scored 18, and Amen Thompson added 16. But Houston shot only 40.4% overall, made just 7 threes, and never found rhythm even with Durant on the floor.
What’s Next
Game 3 shifts to Houston on Saturday, with the Rockets desperate to respond and the Lakers suddenly holding momentum. James and his short-handed crew have already defied expectations—now they’re two wins away from shocking the West.
