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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 09: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers smiles while standing on the court during their game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on April 09, 2026 in San Francisco, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Lakers are at a place (let’s face it) they probably weren’t expecting to be a week ago: up 2-0 in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

Up to 2-0 in the playoffs? Against the massively favored Houston Rockets? That can’t be.

Oh yes, it can. 

No Luka Doncic, no Austin Reaves. No problem.

Thanks to the new — and hopefully temporary — big three of (wait for it …) LeBron James, Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard, the Lakers are riding high and suddenly have their eyes set on the second round of the playoffs. 

Not so fast, though. 

Although the Lakers have seized all the momentum and have jumped on the Rockets early, the series now shifts to Houston, meaning a whole new test for these underdog Lakers.

GettyLeBron James looks on.

The Rockets aren’t some world-beaters at home, but they are only two losses away from their season ending. They’ll play with intensity and a desperation that’ll be hard for the visiting Lakers to match.

And when the crowd lets out a wide-mouthed scream every time a player in a red jersey knocks down a 3-pointer, it’ll get especially intimidating for the visiting team.

That’s not to say the Lakers aren’t battle tested, because they certainly are. 

They’ve got James, the timeless wonder himself; Smart and DeAndre Ayton, both with NBA Finals experience; and Luke Kennard, who has been through some playoff wars in his various stops over his nine-year career. 

A Game 3 win would all but deliver the coup de grace to the Rockets. A loss opens the door to endless outcomes. 

Los Angeles Lakers Continue Seek Upper Hand Amid Embarrassing Stat

It’s safe to say the Lakes have a ton going their way.

They have James, who is playing like it’s 2018 again and continuing to be the walking epitome of longevity. Over two games so far, the 41-year-old Los Angeles star is averaging 23.5 points, 10.0 assists and 8.0 rebounds per contest while shooting a shade under 49% from the field and 43% from 3.

Timeless indeed.

And here’s another nugget to make Lakers fans jump for joy: When a James-led team has gone up 2-0 in a series, it has a 24-0 series record. History is screaming a Lakers trip to the second round.

If that isn’t enough, then how about this: Kevin Durant, the star of the Rockets, has not won a single playoff game in over 1000 days, according to “TheDunkCentral” on X.

Kevin Durant hasn’t won a playoff game in 1,081 days.

LeBron James is 32–0 in playoff series when leading 2–0.

Nick Wright: “I don’t think there’s been a day in human history where Kevin Durant was better than LeBron James.”

Pressure is on KD to flip the narrative pic.twitter.com/1dUiKeJH9z

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 22, 2026

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Again, history is screaming a Lakers trip to the second round — maybe even by virtue of a sweep.

Keys to an L.A. Victory in Game 3

Just over 24 hours from game time, the Lakers have plenty to consider.

Yes, they are up 2-0, but Game 3 is massive in so many ways. A win would almost sign and deliver a trip to the second round. A loss brings Houston within a game. Considering the Rockets will also have Game 4 at home, there then becomes real potential of a tied series heading back to Los Angeles.

If you’re the Lakers, that’s a situation you want to avoid. It’ll feel like all the work done to jump ahead in the series was erased.

To win Friday’s Game 3, L.A. will need James to continue going retro and the duo of Smart and Kennard to keep up their offensive fireworks. Both guards cashed a combined 10 3-pointers in the Game 2 win. 

Without Doncic and Reaves, the Lakers simply cannot score enough points unless Smart and Kennard take the ropes and reduce some of the load on James, who is handling table-setting duties. 

The Lakers did a fantastic job limiting Durant in the second half of Game 2. Durant, a 16-time All-Star, scored just three points in the final two quarters after registering 20 first half points in Tuesday’s loss. He also committed an unsightly nine turnovers. 

The combination of Smart and Kennard’s offense and caging Durant defensively can thrust the Lakers to another convincing victory, but that’ll surely be easier said than done in a road playoff game.

It’ll be interesting to see what plan head coach JJ Redick has up his sleeve.

Tip off from Toyota Center is set for 7:00 p.m. tomorrow night.