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HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 21: Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets reacts after passing Michael Jordan on the all-time scoring list during the game between the Miami Heat and the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on March 21, 2026 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)

The Houston Rockets entered their first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers with a huge question hanging over them: when will Kevin Durant return? Durant was ruled out of Game 1 after hurting his right knee in practice, and the latest reporting says Houston is hopeful the absence is only a one-game issue. That makes Game 2 the obvious target, but the Rockets have not given a firm timetable yet.

Paul Pierce’s Rockets vs Lakers Take

Pierce believes Houston may have been thinking about the bigger picture all along. He said:

“So we can afford to rest him tonight. And say we’re still better than them because when you’re missing your second and third leading scorer as the Lakers and you’re like, “Well, we can miss our first leading scorer. I think we’re just more talented than the Lakers even without KD.” We’ll say we probably can get one and rest him and extra day to be ready for game two. That’s what I think happened. Now, we’ll see if he plays game two because if he does, that’s probably what it was saying we felt like we were better than them without those guys, as a coaching staff.”

In simple terms, Pierce thinks the Rockets may have accepted a short-term loss of Durant because they believed their roster could survive one game without him and still keep the series under control.

That is a risk, but it is also the kind of playoff gamble teams sometimes make when they trust their depth.

Luka Doncic Could Flip the Script

GettyLos Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic

There​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ are still two important players missing on the Lakers’ side. Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves are still keeping their absence open, and the news is that Luka has been struggling with a hamstring problem.

That is indeed a significant factor since if Dončić decides to come back in the series, Houston’s whole game plan will have to be reconsidered. Personally, I think this is the main issue: the Rockets are totally relying on Durant’s arrival, whereas the Lakers are holding out on Luka. The one who gets fit first will more than likely be the one to decide the ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌series.

Lakers Beat Rockets in Game 1

Game 1 showed why that decision matters. The Lakers beat the Rockets 107-98, capitalizing on Durant’s absence and playing with better pace and execution. LeBron James had 19 points and 13 assists, while Luke Kennard scored 27 off the bench as Los Angeles grabbed a 1-0 series lead.