Only two such playoff wins in NBA history belong to Lakers originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The No. 4 Los Angeles Lakers (53-29) have won their first two matches (Game 1 and Game 2) against the No. 5 Houston Rockets (52-30) in the 2026 NBA playoffs' first round and have silenced their critics. The Lakers are playing without two of their biggest stars, Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, and are proving the doubters wrong. The Lakers have built a solid 2-0 lead in the series, which is the first time a team has won two playoff games without two players who averaged 20+ PPG during the regular season and made 100+ three-pointers, according to OptaSTATS report.
During the regular season, while sacrificing themselves for the Lakers, Dončić was averaging 33.5 PPG and Austin Reaves was averaging 23.3 PPG. And then what shouldn't have happened did - both players have been sidelined since April 2, with Luka suffering a hamstring injury and Austin dealing with an oblique strain.
However, a ray of hope emerged when the Lakers did something that had never been done before.
“In NBA history, only twice has a team won a playoff game despite missing 2 players who each averaged 20.0+ PPG while making 100+ threes for that team during the regular season,” OptaSTATS tweeted. “Both wins were by this year's @Lakers.”
In NBA history, only twice has a team won a playoff game despite missing 2 players who each averaged 20.0+ PPG while making 100+ threes for that team during the regular season.Both wins were by this year's @Lakers. pic.twitter.com/HTZBT1LdW4
“Just as hard as we played in Game 1, we had to double that in Game 2. We understood what they wanted to come in [with], the desperation they were going to have, so we had to be even more desperate. And I thought we played a hell of a game.”
Indeed, making history without their top scorers is a big deal for the Lakers so far. King James, Luke Kennard, Marcus Smart, and DeAndre Ayton from the Lakers' side are giving their all. The result is that the Rockets, despite the return of two-time NBA champion Kevin Durant (who scored 23 points), lost Game 2 and are now under pressure. The Lakers' morale has soared so much that they can now dream of the championship trophy.
MORE: Lakers vs. Rockets schedule: Dates, times, TV channels, scores for 2026 NBA Playoffs first-round series
To be honest, the main reason for the Lakers' victory was their excellent shooting percentage (60.6% in Game 1) and Luke Kennard's career-high 27 points, with the Lakers winning 107-98. Meanwhile, the Rockets made too many turnovers (15) in Game 2 and struggled with their shooting, as King James led the Lakers to victory with 28 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists in a 101-94 win.
With these two victories before their third step, the Lakers have set a new all-time playoff record in NBA history. Game 3 of the best-of-seven series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets will now shift from Los Angeles to Houston. This game will be played on Friday at the Toyota Center in Texas.
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