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Deandre Ayton Deandre Ayton grabs 16 rebounds vs. Houston
Fri, May 1, 2026, 6:20 PM
Deandre Ayton tallied seven points (2-of-6 FGs, 3-of-7 FTs), 16 rebounds, one assist and one blocked shot in Friday's Game 6 win over the Rockets.
Analysis: While he did not offer much production as a scorer, Ayton more than held his own on the glass in Game 6. The Lakers center grabbed at least 10 rebounds in each of the final three games of the series, totaling 33 in Games 5 and 6. While the Lakers will need more offense from Ayton in the second round against Oklahoma City, at a minimum, he'll need to be dominant on the glass for them to have any chance of pulling off what would be a major upset. |
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Rui Hachimura Rui Hachimura hits five triples, scores 21 points
Fri, May 1, 2026, 6:20 PM
Rui Hachimura amassed 21 points (8-of-15 FGs), six rebounds, two assists, one block and five three-pointers in Friday's Game 6 win over the Rockets.
Analysis: On a night when three Lakers finished in double figures, Hachimura recorded his second 20-point game of the series. The 6-foot-8 forward shot 5-of-9 from beyond the arc in Game 6, and he was 17-of-31 for the series. The Lakers won't have much margin for error against Oklahoma City in the second round; Hachimura must be consistently productive in the series, which opens on Tuesday night. |
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LeBron James LeBron James posts 28/7/7 line in Game 6 blowout
Fri, May 1, 2026, 6:19 PM
LeBron James finished Friday's Game 6 victory over the Rockets with 28 points (10-of-25 FGs, 6-of-8 FTs), seven rebounds, eight assists and two three-pointers.
Analysis: By far the most experienced player on the Lakers' roster, James understood the assignment for Friday's series clincher. He hunted his shot early, setting the tone for the Lakers to build up a large first-half lead and coast from there. The good news for James and the Lakers is that they'll get a few days off, with the second-round series against the Thunder not starting until Tuesday. Regardless of what happens with Luka Don?i? (hamstring), the Lakers will need the best version of James to have any shot at pulling off the upset. |
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Austin Reaves LAL starts Smart, Reaves, Hachimura, James, Ayton
Fri, May 1, 2026, 3:07 PM
Law Murray
Marcus Smart, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James and Deandre Ayton will start Friday's Game 6 against the Rockets.
Analysis: After coming off the bench in his first game back from a strained oblique, Reaves has returned to the Lakers' starting lineup. He replaces Luke Kennard, who missed all four of his shot attempts in Game 5 and scored just one point. The Lakers are looking to avoid having to play a Game 7 on Sunday after winning the first three games of this series. |
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Austin Reaves Austin Reaves (oblique) scores 22 points in return
Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 6:57 PM
Austin Reaves (oblique) recorded 22 points (4-of-16 FGs, 12-of-13 FTs), four rebounds, six assists, one block and two three-pointers in Wednesday's Game 5 loss to the Rockets.
Analysis: With Wednesday's game being the first for Reaves since April 2, he was used in a reserve role. There were no restrictions for the Lakers' guard, who logged 34 minutes. Reaves did not shoot the ball well from the field, but a 12-of-13 night at the foul line boosted the point total. Reaves may return to the starting lineup for Game 6 on Friday, especially when considering how poorly Luke Kennard played. Missing all four of his field-goal attempts, Kennard finished Game 5 with one point, three rebounds, two assists, two steals and one blocked shot. Whether he continues to start or gets bumped to the bench by Reaves, the Lakers need more from Kennard. |
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Deandre Ayton Deandre Ayton corrals 17 rebounds in Game 5 defeat
Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 6:57 PM
Deandre Ayton tallied 18 points (9-of-14 FGs), 17 rebounds and two blocks in Wednesday's Game 5 loss to the Rockets.
Analysis: Ejected from Game 4 just over halfway through the third quarter, Ayton was around for the entirety of Game 5. And he lived up to the âDominAytonâ nickname on the glass, grabbing ten offensive rebounds and 17 overall. Add in a good night of shooting the basketball, and the 7-footer finished with his third double-double of the series. Ayton and the Lakers will look to end the series on Friday in Houston, as they look to avoid having to play a Game 7 after winning the first three games. |
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LeBron James LeBron James scores game-high 25 points in Game 5
Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 6:56 PM
LeBron James finished Wednesday's Game 5 loss to the Rockets with 25 points (9-of-20 FGs, 7-of-10 FTs), three rebounds, seven assists and two steals.
Analysis: As a team, the Lakers shot 7-of-27 from beyond the arc, with the Rockets outscoring them by 21 points on three-pointers. James was among those who struggled, as he missed all six of his attempts. A positive for the 41-year-old was that he cleaned up the turnovers, committing two after being responsible for eight each in Games 3 and 4. Getting Austin Reaves back does help with the offensive workload, even if his return did not result in a victory on Wednesday. James and the Lakers will look to end the series in Houston on Friday. |
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Austin Reaves Austin Reaves (oblique) available for Game 5
Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 3:25 PM
NBA Injury Report
Austin Reaves (oblique) is available for Wednesday's Game 5 against the Rockets.
Analysis: After more than three weeks on the sidelines with a strained oblique muscle, Reaves is good to go for Game 5. His return will not push Luke Kennard to the bench, as the Lakers are sticking with the lineup that started the first four games of this series. Kennard is joined in the lineup by Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James and Deandre Ayton. |
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Luka Doncic Shams: Don?i? (hammy) without timetable to return
Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 4:36 AM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports there's still no timetable for Luka Don?i? (hamstring) to return.
Analysis: Charania reports that even if the Lakers advance to face the Thunder in the second round of the NBA Playoffs, Don?i? is expected to remain out to begin the series. While the 27-year-old point guard has done on-court work, he hasn't progressed to full scrimmages yet, according to Charania. Don?i?'s return was described by Charania as a slow path, which also doesn't inspire confidence for a speedy recovery. He last appeared in a game for the Lakers on April 2. |
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Austin Reaves Austin Reaves (oblique) âoptimistic' for Game 5
Tue, Apr 28, 2026, 7:17 AM
Shams Charania
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Austin Reaves (oblique) and the Lakers are optimistic that he will return for Game 5 on Wednesday against the Rockets.
Analysis: Reaves was a game-time decision in Games 3 and 4, but this latest update from Shams bodes well for Reaves' return. With the Lakers looking to close out the series and move on to face the Thunder, Reaves' return could come at just the right time. |
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Austin Reaves Shams: Austin Reaves could return for Game 5
Mon, Apr 27, 2026, 9:40 AM
Shams Charania
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Austin Reaves could return for Game 5 against the Rockets on Wednesday.
Analysis: In an appearance on the Pat McAfee show, Charania noted that Reaves - who was considered questionable for Game 4 - could get back on the court Wednesday when the Lakers return home for Game 5 against the Rockets. The Lakers went up three games to nil before getting blown out in Game 4. Reaves could be the catalyst the team needs to complete the gentleman's sweep and advance to the Western Conference semifinals. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Don?i? (hamstring) will not play in Round 1
Mon, Apr 27, 2026, 9:36 AM
Shams Charania
According to Shams Charania in an appearance on the Pat McAfee show, Luka Don?i? (hamstring) will not play in the Lakers' first-round series against the Rockets.
Analysis: LA is up 3-1 with Game 5 back at crypto.com Arena. Even if the series goes the distance, Don?i? will not return to the court sooner than the Western Conference semifinals. Until the superstar returns, the Lakers will continue to pick up the slack using a committee approach. |
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Rui Hachimura Rui Hachimura records 13 points vs. Houston
Sun, Apr 26, 2026, 6:47 PM
Rui Hachimura tallied 13 points (6-of-10 FGs), three rebounds, one assist, one steal, one block and one three-pointer in Sunday's Game 4 loss to the Rockets.
Analysis: Hachimura shot the ball well in Game 4, making 60 percent of his attempts. However, it wasn't enough on a night when the Lakers' high scorer, Deandre Ayton, was ejected halfway through the third quarter and only three starters finished in double figures. Hachimura and the Lakers will look to close out the series on Wednesday when they host Game 5. |
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LeBron James LeBron James limited to 10 points in Game 4 loss
Sun, Apr 26, 2026, 6:46 PM
LeBron James accounted for 10 points (2-of-9 FGs, 6-of-6 FTs), four rebounds and nine assists in Sunday's Game 4 loss to the Rockets.
Analysis: As well as James played in the first three games of this series, he struggled mightily in Game 4. The Rockets were far more effective defensively on Sunday, harassing James into eight turnovers and a 2-of-9 night from the field. LeBron and the Lakers head home for Game 5 on Wednesday, which may be enough time for Austin Reaves to return from his oblique injury. If so, that would be of immense help to James and the Lakers as they look to close out the series. |
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Deandre Ayton Deandre Ayton ejected after Flagrant 2 foul
Sun, Apr 26, 2026, 5:23 PM
Deandre Ayton was ejected from Sunday's Game 4 against the Rockets with 5:41 remaining in the third quarter.
Analysis: Ayton was assessed a Flagrant 2 foul for a forearm that he delivered to the head of Rockets center Alperen ?engün. The Lakers center played 25 minutes, finishing with 19 points (9-of-12 FGs, 1-of-1 FTs), 10 rebounds and one blocked shot. Ayton's early exit, the first of his NBA career, means more playing time for Jaxson Hayes. |
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Austin Reaves Austin Reaves (oblique) downgraded to out Sunday
Sun, Apr 26, 2026, 2:59 PM
Khobi Price
Austin Reaves (oblique) is out for Sunday's Game 4 against the Rockets.
Analysis: While there was hope that Reaves would be available for Game 4, the Lakers' 3-0 series lead may have factored into the decision to keep him out. Luke Kennard will remain in the starting lineup, and he has been productive throughout this series. |
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Austin Reaves Austin Reaves (oblique) questionable for Game 4
Sat, Apr 25, 2026, 12:06 PM
NBA Injury Report
Austin Reaves (oblique) is questionable for Sunday's Game 4 against the Rockets.
Analysis: The Lakers can close out the Rockets on Sunday, and they may get back one of their key scorers. Reaves, who has been out since April 2 with a strained oblique, is closing in on a return. Given where the series stands, the Lakers can take a conservative approach to working Reaves back into the lineup once he's available. Luke Kennard has been the starting off-guard, and that will remain the case until Reaves returns. |
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Marcus Smart Marcus Smart has 21/4/10 line in Game 3 win Friday
Fri, Apr 24, 2026, 5:25 PM
Marcus Smart had 21 points (5-of-9 FGs, 9-of-11 FTs), four rebounds, 10 assists, five steals, two blocks and two three-pointers in Friday's win over the Rockets in Game 3.
Analysis: Smart had 25 points, seven assists and five steals in Game 2 and had a pretty similar stat line in Game 3. The 32-year-old point guard had 21 points, 10 assists and five steals as the Lakers improbably took a 3-0 series lead with the overtime win. Smart has become one of the Lakers' most important players early in these playoffs with Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) sidelined. |
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Rui Hachimura Rui Hachimura has 22 points in Game 3 win Friday
Fri, Apr 24, 2026, 5:17 PM
Rui Hachimura had 22 points (8-of-14 FGs, 2-of-4 FTs), four rebounds, two assists, one steal and two three-pointers in Friday's Game 3 win over the Rockets.
Analysis: Hachimura set the tone right away in Game 3, dropping 16 points without missing from the field in the first quarter. The 28-year-old small forward finished with 22 points, which was second only to LeBron James on the Lakers. Hachimura had a great night while Luke Kennard, who averaged 25 points in the first two games of the series, had just 14 points. |
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LeBron James LeBron James has 29/13/6 line as Lakers go up 3-0
Fri, Apr 24, 2026, 5:09 PM
LeBron James had 29 points (10-of-22 FGs, 5-of-6 FTs), 13 rebounds, six assists, three steals, one block and four three-pointers in the Lakers' 112-108 victory over the Rockets in Game 3 on Friday.
Analysis: With the Lakers shorthanded to begin the playoffs, LeBron has been nothing short of excellent in the first three games. James is averaging 25.3 points, 9.7 rebounds and 8.7 assists in this series. With the Lakers trailing and less than 25 seconds remaining in regulation, the 41-year-old small forward got a steal and a game-tying three-pointer. Then the Lakers stole Game 3 in overtime. They'll have a chance to complete a sweep in Game 4 on Sunday. |
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