LeBron James carried the Los Angeles Lakers to a Game 1 home victory over the Houston Rockets in their playoff opener this weekend, but shooting guard Luke Kennard was the hero of the first chapter in L.A.’s 2026 postseason story.
The sharpshooter came over from the Atlanta Hawks in return for Gabe Vincent and a second-round pick ahead of the mid-season trade deadline and averaged 9.0 points nightly on nearly 45 percent from behind the 3-point arc over three attempts per game.
Kennard upped the ante on those shooting numbers against Houston on Saturday, April 18, knocking in 9-of-13 attempts from the field and connecting on all five of his shots from deep to lead not only the Lakers, but all scorers, on the evening with 27 points. He added four rebounds and three assists in Los Angeles’ 107-98 win.
On Sunday, the seasoned veteran reflected on arguably the game of his life.
“It’s definitely a special moment,” Kennard said after the game, per SB Nation. “I’ve been in the NBA for nine years. I’ve had some big plays, big games, but this is up there for sure.”
“It means a lot. It builds confidence going into the next game,” Kennard continued. “To do it, especially at a place like this playing for the Lakers on the biggest stage in basketball, it means a lot to me and what I’ve done. Just credit to the work I’ve put in and how I’ve prepared leading up to this.”
Luke Kennard Key to Lakers’ Playoff Success in Absence of Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves
GettyLos Angeles Lakers shooting guard Luke Kennard.
Kennard averaged 23 minutes per game in L.A. across 32 appearances during the regular season. Due to his hot shooting, as well as a hamstring injury to Luka Doncic and an oblique strain to Austin Reaves, Kennard played 38 minutes on Saturday night.
Lakers fans should expect more of the same in Game 2 in Los Angeles on Tuesday, as Doncic and Reaves are unlikely to return to the series before a potential Game 5 — at the earliest. There is a chance that one, or both, could miss the entire series and won’t be back until Round 2, assuming the Lakers can make it that far without them.
L.A. shot 61 percent from the field (40-of-66) and 53 percent from deep (10-of-19) on Saturday, which will be difficult numbers to replicate moving forward, particularly given the Rockets’ strength as a physical defensive team with size.
LeBron James Was Elite Against Rockets Team Missing Kevin Durant
GettyLeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Thus, Kennard is going to have to continue playing big minutes and putting up big numbers at impressive efficiency if a shortened, minutes-wary rotation for the Lakers is to hold off a younger and more athletic team in Houston.
A 41-year-old James added 19 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds in L.A.’s win across 38 minutes played. Kennard’s shooting off of James’ playmaking/creation will be a critical element moving forward in the first-round series.
The Rockets also played without Kevin Durant in Game 1, and his return to action could change the tide for a Houston team that was abysmal offensively without him Saturday night. The Rockets connected on just 35-of-93 shots from the field (38 percent) and 11-of-33 attempts from the 3-point line (33 percent).
Lakers’ Luke Kennard Sends Clear Message After Career Game in Playoff Win