Lakers win Game 1 with gritty effort against Durant-less Rockets

Shorthanded yet energized, the Lakers opened their first-round series with a 108-98 win over the Houston Rockets, who learned hours before tipoff they’d be without leading scorer Kevin Durant because of a knee contusion. Luke Kennard, now central to Los Angeles’ identity without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, poured in a playoff career-high 27 points, hitting all five threes. LeBron James added 19 points and 13 assists as LA shot 60.6% and survived 20 turnovers. Deandre Ayton had 19 and 11. Houston shot 37.6%, with Alperen Sengun scoring 19 in the loss.