Getty LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 10: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the first half of a game against the Phoenix Suns at Crypto.com Arena on April 10, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers are without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. The Houston Rockets were without Kevin Durant, who was a late scratch with a right knee contusion. On paper, Game 1 of their first-round series on Saturday night at Crypto.com Arena had every reason to be a mess.
It was not.
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