Getty

Lakers' LeBron James during a game against the Dallas Mavericks in February 2026

The Los Angeles Lakers have absorbed all the momentum they could possibly dream of after the first two games of the 2026 NBA playoffs. 

No one believed they would hear (or read) these words just a few weeks after April 2: No Luka Doncic, no Austin Reaves. No problem.

Of course, that was the day Doncic and Reaves suffered same-day injuries. According to recent reports, neither Lakers star is close to returning quite yet, but their team has been strikingly impressive without them so far. 

It has started with LeBron James, the timeless anchor of these hopeful Lakers, once down, bruised but now spirited and forceful. 

Lump James’ glorious table-setting with the shining play of guards Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart and the Lakers have a 2-0 lead in a series they entered as heavy underdogs. 

Now with Game 3 in Houston on tap, can they continue this Cinderella-esque run? 

Some news out of Houston could help them.

Los Angeles Lakers in Line to Receive Major Potential Boost

Rockets star Kevin Durant missed Game 1 due to a knee injury suffered in practice sometime last week. His team looked completely out of it without him in the loss. But once it was announced Durant would play in Game 2, most felt that this is where the line would get drawn for the Lakers.

Yeah, yeah, you won Game 1 at home against a team without its best player … but can you do it again?

The answer was a resounding yes.

GettyLos Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James drives the ball. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Durant came out firing on all cylinders, scoring 20 first half points on a hyper-efficient 6-for-7 shooting from the field. He looked unbothered, smooth, like vintage Easy Money Sniper.

Then the Lakers had enough of that.

They limited the 16-time All-Star to just three second half points via countless double-teams and all-out defensive tenacity. L.A. pulled off another improbable win. The series sort of felt over for Houston.

Now heading into Game 3, the Rockets are facing a virtual do-or-die situation. A win changes the complexion of the series. A loss effectively closes the book on their 2025-26 season.

Apparently Durant is still not back to full strength. According to the injury report the Rockets released today, Durant is listed as questionable for tomorrow’s pivotal Game 3. That means there is considerable doubt over whether he’ll be ready to play, which potentially signals a huge boost for the Lakers.

L.A. Must Bring High Intensity Even if Houston Star is Out

Whether Durant plays won’t impact the Rockets’ intensity; they’ll be playing with desperation because their season is virtually on the line.

The Lakers cannot relax their mindset in any way. Winning tonight is effectively the difference between punching their ticket to the second round and giving the Rockets major life. It’s time for the knockout punch, and the Lakers have to deliver it.

According to DeAndre Ayton, James, the team captain, is already preaching the importance of the Lakers not letting their guard down as the series shifts to Houston.

“LeBron is making it very known not to get comfortable, and [coach] JJ [Redick] as well,” Ayton said after Thursday’s practice. “So, don’t get too complacent. This is the playoffs. Anything happens and we wanna handle business, just like how we handled business here. Keep everything solid and take the stuff we did in the lab over there to use it.”

That approach should serve the Lakers well. The biggest game of the season is just over 24 hours away.

Tip off from Toyota Center is set for 5:00 p.m. Pacific on Friday.