Lakers Aim to Upset Rockets in Playoffs Without Luka Doncic

LA faces a tough test against Houston's athleticism, but has the tools to advance in the NBA postseason.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 6:55am

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A cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game between the Lakers and Rockets, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes of color, capturing the dynamic energy and strategic complexity of the matchup.The Lakers' upset bid against the Rockets in the NBA playoffs hinges on their ability to outmaneuver Houston's athletic defense and find creative scoring opportunities.Oklahoma City Today

The Los Angeles Lakers have drawn a challenging first-round playoff matchup against the Houston Rockets, but they may have a path to an upset victory despite being without their top scorer, Luka Doncic, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury. The Lakers will need to focus on strong defense to contain the Rockets' offensive firepower and find creative ways to score against Houston's elite defense. If they can execute their game plan and get contributions from players like Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard, the Lakers have a chance to advance and potentially set up a revenge match against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the next round.

Why it matters

This series represents a crucial opportunity for the Lakers to prove their mettle and rewrite their narrative for the season. Without their star player Doncic, the Lakers must rely on their collective talent and depth to overcome the odds and advance in the playoffs, which could set the stage for an exciting second-round matchup.

The details

The Lakers will need to contain the Rockets' athleticism, led by Amen Thompson, and find ways to score against Houston's elite defense. They have shown resilience and a winning mentality in recent games, including a victory over the Timberwolves without Doncic earlier in the season, which could prove valuable in this series. The Lakers also have the advantage of homecourt and a favorable record against the Rockets this season, giving them a chance to pull off an upset.

  • The NBA playoffs are currently underway.
  • The Lakers and Rockets are set to face off in the first round of the playoffs.

The players

Luka Doncic

The Lakers' top scorer, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury and will miss the first-round series against the Rockets.

Austin Reaves

The Lakers' second-leading scorer, who is also out with an injury.

Kevin Durant

The Rockets' star player, who the Lakers will need to contain on defense.

Amen Thompson

The Rockets' athletic young player who will pose a tough test for the Lakers.

LeBron James

The Lakers' veteran leader who will need to take control of the offense to lead his team to victory.

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What they’re saying

“This series has the potential to be a pivotal moment in the Lakers' season and a chance to rewrite their narrative.”

— Author

“To win this series, the Lakers will need to focus on their defense. They must contain Kevin Durant and find creative ways to score against Houston's elite defensive unit.”

— Author

“If the Lakers had faced the Timberwolves in the first round, it would have been a daunting task, especially without Luka and AR. Minnesota's offensive firepower and improved defense would have posed a significant threat.”

— Author

What’s next

If the Lakers are able to upset the Rockets, they would advance to the second round of the playoffs, where they could potentially face the Oklahoma City Thunder and Luka Doncic in a revenge match.

The takeaway

This first-round matchup between the Lakers and Rockets represents a critical juncture for the Lakers, who have the opportunity to prove their worth, showcase their depth, and set the stage for a memorable playoff run, even without their star player Luka Doncic.