Heading into the Game 1 battle between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets, not many expected the Lakers to have a chance.
Despite holding the home-court advantage and finishing better in the Western Conference, the Lakers’ key absences have caused many to believe that the Rockets have a cakewalk in round one.
Suddenly, the mood has shifted. While the Lakers are down Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, the Rockets are starting the 2026 NBA Playoffs without their star forward, Kevin Durant.
As a result, the former Lakers center Shaquille O’Neal has made a clear statement on the situation: the Lakers have to win Game 1, as it could be a series-defining moment already.
Shaq’s Statement On Kevin Durant’s Injury
GettyLOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES: Shaquille O’Neal of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during game two of the NBA first round play-offs against the Sacramento Kings in Los Angeles 27 April, 2000. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) AFP PHOTO/Vince BUCCI (Photo credit should read Vince Bucci/AFP via Getty Images)
“This is just a must-win for the Lakers,” Shaq said before the game.
“With the Rockers’ number one guy down, the question is, who’s going to be that guy for the Lakers? We all expect LeBron to do it, but we can’t forget he’s 41 years old. So, who’s going to be the second guy to step up and say, you know what? I’m going to be AR, I’m going to be Luka tonight. The Lakers have to win this game tonight because without KD, the matchup is pretty even. Like the great Hall of Famer Charles Barkley said: the Lakers got to win this game tonight, or else.”
What’s Going On With Kevin Durant?
GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS – MARCH 16: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers defends Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets during the game at Toyota Center on March 16, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
The Rockets added Kevin Durant to the injury report on Friday night. The star forward is dealing with a knee contusion. While he was questionable and considered giving it a go, Durant was ruled out officially after he tested his knee during pregame warmups.
While the Rockets haven’t announced a significant update on Durant’s knee, there seems to be a lot of unknowns at this time. The door is open for a Game 2 return, but it’s not a guarantee.
GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS – APRIL 10: Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets reacts /amduring the second half at Toyota Center on April 10, 2026 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
In Shaq’s eyes, Game 1 is a must-win for the Lakers, because they have more unknowns on their side. When will Luka return? Will Austin Reaves play at all? How long will the Lakers have a Durant-less advantage?
In such a short series, the Lakers need to take the wins where they can get them. While they have generated plenty of doubters over the past week after drawing the Rockets in round 1, O’Neal makes it clear that the Game 1 results can shift the narrative.