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JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are officially set for a first-round playoff matchup against the Houston Rockets after finishing the regular season as the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference.
Los Angeles entered the final weekend with a chance to move up in the standings, but despite a win over the Utah Jazz, the Denver Nuggets held their position to secure the No. 3 seed. That result locked the Lakers into a matchup with Houston, with Game 1 scheduled for Saturday night on ABC. The series marks the first playoff meeting between the two teams since 2020.
Head coach JJ Redick addressed the matchup following the regular-season finale, making it clear that Los Angeles’ focus is not on circumstances but on preparation.
“We’re gonna prepare and we’re gonna fight and we’re gonna go try to win the series,” Redick said. “Going into today, we told the team, it’s not about the opponent, it’s about us. And now it is about the opponent. And we’re gonna do everything we can to get our guys in a great frame of mind, great physical shape over the next four or five days and be ready to play.”
JJ Redick on facing the Rockets:
“We’re going to prepare, and we’re going to fight, and we’re going to go try to win the series. We’re gonna do everything we can to get our guys in a great, frame of mind. Great physical shape over the next 4 or 5 days and be ready to play”
GettyLos Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James and Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick
Redick’s message comes as the Lakers enter the postseason dealing with key absences. Luka Doncic is sidelined with a hamstring injury, while Austin Reaves is recovering from an oblique issue. Their status for the start of the series remains uncertain.
That places added responsibility on LeBron James, who has recently taken on a larger offensive role. Over the final stretch of the regular season, James delivered consistent production, including a 28-point, 12-assist performance in a win over the Phoenix Suns.
The Lakers will need to adjust their approach without two of their primary scorers. Redick indicated that the team’s focus in the days leading up to Game 1 will be on both mental and physical readiness.
The matchup also presents a contrast in roster construction. While Los Angeles leans on veteran leadership, Houston enters the series with a deeper, younger core led by Kevin Durant, along with contributors like Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson.
GettyHouston Rockets forward Kevin Durant and Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic
The Lakers and Rockets will meet in a best-of-seven series beginning Saturday, with Los Angeles holding home-court advantage after finishing 53-29.
During the regular season, the two teams split momentum across three matchups. Houston won the first meeting on Christmas Day, while the Lakers responded with two wins in March to take the season series.
Those games, however, came under different circumstances. Los Angeles had its full core available in those contests, while the upcoming playoff series will feature a different rotation due to injuries.
Historically, this will be the 10th playoff meeting between the franchises. Their last postseason matchup came in the 2020 Western Conference semifinals, where the Lakers advanced.
Houston enters the playoffs after finishing 52-30 and securing the No. 5 seed. The team rested several key players, including Durant and Sengun, in the regular-season finale but is expected to have its full lineup available for Game 1.
For the Lakers, the challenge will be generating enough offense while maintaining defensive consistency. The team has shown resilience late in the season, winning six of its last 10 games despite injuries.
Redick’s message reflects that mindset. With limited time before the postseason begins, the focus remains on preparation and execution rather than external expectations.
The series will tip off Saturday night, marking the beginning of what could be a defining stretch for Los Angeles as it navigates a difficult matchup and extends its postseason run.
Debayan Biswas is a sports writer covering the NBA, NFL and Golf for Heavy.com. He focuses on breaking news, trades, and player stories. His work has been featured by Athlon Sports and Pro Football and Sports Network, with republication across platforms including Yahoo Sports and Yardbarker. More about Debayan Biswas
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