The stage is now set. The Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets will face off in the first round of the NBA playoffs in a matchup shaped as much by who\u2019s unavailable as who is.<\/p>\n
For the Lakers, the burden tilts heavily toward LeBron James. With Luka Don\u010di\u0107 (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) sidelined due to injury, the offensive ecosystem narrows, forcing James into a familiar role as both creator and closer deep into his career. There\u2019s also a reality hovering over all of it: This could be the final postseason run of James\u2019 23-year career.<\/p>\n
Across from him, the Rockets present a far different picture.\u00a0Kevin Durant\u00a0gives them a singular late-game option, while\u00a0Alperen \u015eeng\u00fcn\u00a0and Amen Thompson round out a group with multiple ways to apply pressure.<\/p>\n
It leaves a series defined by contrast: one superstar asked to carry an undermanned roster against another who can rely on younger teammates. It also puts the spotlight on whether L.A. can manufacture enough offense to keep pace.<\/p>\n
Lakers writer Dan Woike and Rockets writer Will Guillory give us a first look at the series.<\/p>\n
What is the biggest storyline for my team headed into the playoffs?<\/strong><\/h3>\nWoike:<\/strong> How will the Lakers survive without Reaves and Don\u010di\u0107?\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\nThe Lakers have had to undergo the worst kind of reinvention in the final five games of the regular season, figuring out how to play together without their two most important players. The good news, relatively speaking, is that option No. 3 is James. The bad news: At 41, how often can he empty the tank to keep them afloat long enough to maybe \u2014 maybe<\/i> \u2014\u00a0get Don\u010di\u0107 or Reaves back on the court.<\/p>\n
Despite what the narratives have been, this has been a terrific season for the Lakers. They\u2019re over 50 wins for the second straight year, went 15-2 in March with a clear hierarchy and stood down some of the best competition in the league. But they did that with Don\u010di\u0107 and Reaves in place.<\/p>\n
Now, they\u2019ll enter the postseason in the embryonic stages of whatever this version of their team is, with tons of room to grow but real questions about how it\u2019s going to turn out.<\/p>\n
Guillory: <\/strong>How much playoff success will Kevin Durant have in his first season with the Rockets?<\/em><\/p>\nHouston surprised much of the NBA last season in winning 52 games and grabbing the West\u2019s No. 2 seed. But in the end, a lack of experience and a go-to offensive option resulted in the Rockets being bounced by Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors in a dramatic seven-game, first-round series.<\/p>\n
Enter Kevin Durant, a player who could help them address both problems at once. Although Durant has performed at an All-NBA level this season, injuries to Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams, along with offensive struggles by the rest of the roster, have kept Houston from making the leap many expected after Durant\u2019s arrival.<\/p>\n
A trip to the second round of the playoffs would make the first year of the Durant experience in Houston feel like a success, even if it comes against a compromised Lakers team. And once you\u2019re there, the playoffs tend to reward whoever can withstand the chaos.<\/p>\n
For Houston, getting Amen Thompson, Alperen \u015eeng\u00fcn and the rest of the young core more experience in the playoffs \u2014 and possibly their first series win \u2014 would be a huge win for the present and future of the franchise.<\/p>\n
Who or what is the biggest X-factor for my team?<\/strong><\/h3>\nWoike: <\/strong>Deandre Ayton. He\u2019s one of the most talented players on the Lakers. He has a soft touch, can protect around the basket and be a factor on the glass on both sides of the court.<\/p>\nHe can also be ineffective, frustratingly disengaged and played completely off the court. With so much offensive firepower on the shelf, an energized Ayton can fill some of the offensive void. He can be an interior presence. He\u2019s shown he can be a difference-maker.<\/p>\n
It just hasn\u2019t been consistent. And it just hasn\u2019t been able to be counted on.<\/p>\n
\n\n\n\n Which version of Tari Eason will the Lakers get? (Erik Williams \/ Imagn Images)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nGuillory: <\/strong>Tari Eason. \u015eeng\u00fcn and Thompson will get most of the national recognition \u2014 and deservedly so \u2014 for the leaps they made in their individual games this season, especially with VanVleet and Adams missing time. But Eason is a player who can make this team look inept or unstoppable based on his performance.<\/p>\nWhen he is on, Houston\u2019s size and athleticism on the perimeter can overwhelm opponents, especially against a Lakers\u2019 team short on playmaking without Don\u010di\u0107 and Reaves. Eason\u2019s activity on the offensive glass and his ability to create turnovers on defense feed into Houston\u2019s biggest strengths. When he\u2019s doing all the little things, Thompson, \u015eeng\u00fcn and Jabari Smith can focus on the things they do best. Eason\u2019s success also takes pressure off reserves like Reed Sheppard and Josh Okogie, who the Rockets would probably prefer to keep in the 20 to 25 minute range.<\/p>\n
When Eason is off, though, the Rockets\u2019 offensive spacing gets funky. His poor decision-making with the ball can disrupt their flow and often leads to more isolation-ball from Durant and \u015eeng\u00fcn.<\/p>\n
Even though Sheppard\u2019s maturation has been one of the brightest parts in Houston this year, I don\u2019t think coach Ime Udoka wants to go into any of these games feeling like he needs to depend on his second-year guard to play big minutes. That will depend on Eason\u2019s play. If he plays well, I don\u2019t think the Lakers have much of a chance.<\/p>\n
What is the Achilles heel\/biggest concern for my team?<\/strong><\/h3>\nWoike:<\/strong> Guard play. The Lakers have had to survive with Luke Kennard as their primary ballhandler. Marcus Smart should help. Jake LaRavia and Bronny James may get some looks. But ultimately, the offensive responsibility runs through James, and that massive burden will undoubtedly have consequences across the court.<\/p>\nGuillory: <\/strong>Turnovers. When Houston takes care of the ball and keeps its off-ball movement sharp, they become much more difficult to stop. Teams will have to send multiple bodies to slow down Durant and \u015eeng\u00fcn.<\/p>\nBut when the decision-making slips, it regularly turns into live-ball turnovers and easy baskets on the other end. The Lakers exposed that in their win at Houston on March 16, forcing nine fourth-quarter turnovers as the Rockets\u2019 offense crumbled in the clutch. Lately, the Rockets\u2019 turnover numbers have been dramatically reduced. To no one\u2019s surprise, the wins have also started stacking up as a result. Houston has to keep doing what\u2019s worked lately and not allow the pressure of the playoffs to speed its offense up.<\/p>\n
Biggest reason for optimism for my team?<\/strong><\/h3>\nWoike:<\/strong> Maybe the basketball gods will reward the Lakers for their March and provide them with some incredible medical news with Don\u010di\u0107 and\/or Reaves. Otherwise, it\u2019s LeBron James, this generation\u2019s greatest player, trying to pull off a miracle.<\/p>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2026\/04\/10230740\/USATSI_28534418-scaled.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\n\n On March 18 against the Rockets, LeBron James scored 30 points on near-perfect 13-of-14 shooting. (Thomas Shea \/ Imagn Images)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
The Lakers have had to undergo the worst kind of reinvention in the final five games of the regular season, figuring out how to play together without their two most important players. The good news, relatively speaking, is that option No. 3 is James. The bad news: At 41, how often can he empty the tank to keep them afloat long enough to maybe \u2014 maybe<\/i> \u2014\u00a0get Don\u010di\u0107 or Reaves back on the court.<\/p>\n
Despite what the narratives have been, this has been a terrific season for the Lakers. They\u2019re over 50 wins for the second straight year, went 15-2 in March with a clear hierarchy and stood down some of the best competition in the league. But they did that with Don\u010di\u0107 and Reaves in place.<\/p>\n
Now, they\u2019ll enter the postseason in the embryonic stages of whatever this version of their team is, with tons of room to grow but real questions about how it\u2019s going to turn out.<\/p>\n
Guillory: <\/strong>How much playoff success will Kevin Durant have in his first season with the Rockets?<\/em><\/p>\n Houston surprised much of the NBA last season in winning 52 games and grabbing the West\u2019s No. 2 seed. But in the end, a lack of experience and a go-to offensive option resulted in the Rockets being bounced by Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors in a dramatic seven-game, first-round series.<\/p>\n Enter Kevin Durant, a player who could help them address both problems at once. Although Durant has performed at an All-NBA level this season, injuries to Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams, along with offensive struggles by the rest of the roster, have kept Houston from making the leap many expected after Durant\u2019s arrival.<\/p>\n A trip to the second round of the playoffs would make the first year of the Durant experience in Houston feel like a success, even if it comes against a compromised Lakers team. And once you\u2019re there, the playoffs tend to reward whoever can withstand the chaos.<\/p>\n For Houston, getting Amen Thompson, Alperen \u015eeng\u00fcn and the rest of the young core more experience in the playoffs \u2014 and possibly their first series win \u2014 would be a huge win for the present and future of the franchise.<\/p>\n Woike: <\/strong>Deandre Ayton. He\u2019s one of the most talented players on the Lakers. He has a soft touch, can protect around the basket and be a factor on the glass on both sides of the court.<\/p>\n He can also be ineffective, frustratingly disengaged and played completely off the court. With so much offensive firepower on the shelf, an energized Ayton can fill some of the offensive void. He can be an interior presence. He\u2019s shown he can be a difference-maker.<\/p>\n It just hasn\u2019t been consistent. And it just hasn\u2019t been able to be counted on.<\/p>\n \n Which version of Tari Eason will the Lakers get? (Erik Williams \/ Imagn Images)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Guillory: <\/strong>Tari Eason. \u015eeng\u00fcn and Thompson will get most of the national recognition \u2014 and deservedly so \u2014 for the leaps they made in their individual games this season, especially with VanVleet and Adams missing time. But Eason is a player who can make this team look inept or unstoppable based on his performance.<\/p>\n When he is on, Houston\u2019s size and athleticism on the perimeter can overwhelm opponents, especially against a Lakers\u2019 team short on playmaking without Don\u010di\u0107 and Reaves. Eason\u2019s activity on the offensive glass and his ability to create turnovers on defense feed into Houston\u2019s biggest strengths. When he\u2019s doing all the little things, Thompson, \u015eeng\u00fcn and Jabari Smith can focus on the things they do best. Eason\u2019s success also takes pressure off reserves like Reed Sheppard and Josh Okogie, who the Rockets would probably prefer to keep in the 20 to 25 minute range.<\/p>\n When Eason is off, though, the Rockets\u2019 offensive spacing gets funky. His poor decision-making with the ball can disrupt their flow and often leads to more isolation-ball from Durant and \u015eeng\u00fcn.<\/p>\n Even though Sheppard\u2019s maturation has been one of the brightest parts in Houston this year, I don\u2019t think coach Ime Udoka wants to go into any of these games feeling like he needs to depend on his second-year guard to play big minutes. That will depend on Eason\u2019s play. If he plays well, I don\u2019t think the Lakers have much of a chance.<\/p>\n Woike:<\/strong> Guard play. The Lakers have had to survive with Luke Kennard as their primary ballhandler. Marcus Smart should help. Jake LaRavia and Bronny James may get some looks. But ultimately, the offensive responsibility runs through James, and that massive burden will undoubtedly have consequences across the court.<\/p>\n Guillory: <\/strong>Turnovers. When Houston takes care of the ball and keeps its off-ball movement sharp, they become much more difficult to stop. Teams will have to send multiple bodies to slow down Durant and \u015eeng\u00fcn.<\/p>\n But when the decision-making slips, it regularly turns into live-ball turnovers and easy baskets on the other end. The Lakers exposed that in their win at Houston on March 16, forcing nine fourth-quarter turnovers as the Rockets\u2019 offense crumbled in the clutch. Lately, the Rockets\u2019 turnover numbers have been dramatically reduced. To no one\u2019s surprise, the wins have also started stacking up as a result. Houston has to keep doing what\u2019s worked lately and not allow the pressure of the playoffs to speed its offense up.<\/p>\n Woike:<\/strong> Maybe the basketball gods will reward the Lakers for their March and provide them with some incredible medical news with Don\u010di\u0107 and\/or Reaves. Otherwise, it\u2019s LeBron James, this generation\u2019s greatest player, trying to pull off a miracle.<\/p>\n \n On March 18 against the Rockets, LeBron James scored 30 points on near-perfect 13-of-14 shooting. (Thomas Shea \/ Imagn Images)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nWho or what is the biggest X-factor for my team?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
What is the Achilles heel\/biggest concern for my team?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Biggest reason for optimism for my team?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n