Lakers win Game 1

The Lakers opened their first-round series by beating the Rockets 107-98 on Saturday night in Los Angeles. (espn.com) LeBron James finished with 19 points and 13 assists, and Luke Kennard added a playoff career-high 27 points for a Lakers team missing Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. (espn.com) Houston was also short-handed in Game 1 after Kevin Durant was ruled out with a knee contusion, and Los Angeles used that opening to take a 1-0 series lead at Crypto.com Arena. (lebronwire.usatoday.com) The series now turns on health as much as matchups. Dončić is still sidelined, and USA Today reported before Game 2 that his return date remained uncertain. (usatoday.com) That uncertainty changes the shape of the bracket for Los Angeles because Dončić is one of the team’s primary shot creators, while James has had to carry more of the offense at age 41. (sports.yahoo.com) Coach JJ Redick said this week that Dončić had made progress in his recovery, but the Lakers had not cleared him for Game 2 as of Monday’s injury reporting. (usatoday.com) The Lakers finished the regular season 53-29 and held home court in this 4-versus-5 Western Conference matchup, while Houston entered at 52-30. (espn.com) Game 1 gave Los Angeles the start it needed. Whether it becomes control of the series depends on when Dončić can get back on the floor. (usatoday.com)