LeBron James delivered another standout performance with 28 points as the Los Angeles Lakers secured a 101-94 victory over the Houston Rockets to take a commanding 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.
The 41-year-old superstar also contributed eight rebounds and seven assists, leading a short-handed Lakers side that continues to impress despite missing key players.
Support came from teammates like Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard, who stepped up offensively to ease the burden on James. Meanwhile, the Rockets welcomed back Kevin Durant, who scored 23 points but struggled with turnovers and consistency, particularly in the second half.
Houston also received solid contributions from Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr., but poor three-point shooting and costly mistakes ultimately proved decisive.
The Lakers controlled large stretches of the game and used key runs to maintain their advantage, showcasing both defensive resilience and clutch execution.
With the series now shifting to Houston for Game 3, the Rockets face mounting pressure to respond and avoid falling into a near-insurmountable 3-0 deficit.
