It’s difficult to look at a matchup between the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers without immediately thinking about their two stars. Kevin Durant and LeBron James have combined for more than 40 seasons of basketball and both rank in the top five in scoring all time. These are two of the best ever to put on sneakers and walk on the hardwood.
But when it comes to this particular round one series, which opens Saturday night in LA, it is more likely to be their supporting cast who decide the outcome. Let’s dig in.
KD vs. LeBron
Ok, let’s go ahead and get this out of the way because we can’t NOT talk about it a little. On Friday, reports began to surface that, win or lose, this could be James’ last season. He’s been coy about whether or not he will retire, but even if he makes it one more season, his time is nearing a close. Remarkably, he is still incredibly effective even at 41 years old.
Durant, 37, is no spring chicken, but he had an incredible year thanks in large part to the fact that he remained healthy throughout. He should have another couple seasons left in him and will continue to climb the ladder of all-time great scorers.
For now, Durant has the advantage both in age and skillset. Both will be in the Hall of Fame, but for this series, Durant had the edge.
The Missing Lakers
Probably the biggest storyline in this series is who won’t be playing. Specifically, MVP candidate Luka Doncic and talented guard Austin Reaves remain sidelined with injuries “indefinitely” according to the Lakers. That’s like removing Durant and Amen Thompson from the Rockets. It’s a devastating blow to the Lakers, but leaves the door wide open for the Rockets to take the series.
Yes, the Rockets continue to be without Steven Adams and Fred VanVleet, but neither of those players mean as much to the Rockets as Doncic does to the Lakers, and the Rockets are still a very good team without them. The Lakers? We’ll see.
The Rockets Defense
The playoffs are typically more defensively minded and that sets up nicely for coach Ime Udoka’s team. The Rockets were, once again, in the top six in defensive rating for the 2025-26 season. At their best, their defense is absolutely stifling with a mix of quick hands, great rebounding, and furious closeouts on shooters.
If they can convert those defensive wins into baskets, particularly in transition against an older, less athletic Laker squad that will want to slow everything down, the Rockets should be fine.
Getting Through a Playoff Series
The Rockets haven’t won a playoff series since the COVID bubble season when they beat the Thunder before losing to the Lakers in five games in round two. Last season was their first trip back to the postseason since 2020. But this might be the year they move on to a second round.
With even a small sample size of playoff experience under the collective youthful belts of the Rockets roster, they should be able to find a way past this aging, injured Lakers team.
Prediction: Rockets in six
