The Los Angeles Lakers could win their first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets after Kevin Durant was sidelined due to a knee injury. This change came just before tipoff, which led to a more even fight for the team without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. The Lakers beat the Rockets 107-98, largely due to the strength of Durant, who played in 78 games this season and only missed four games. The win was largely by committee, with every Lakers starter scoring in double figures. If the Lakers can beat the Houston, they have a good chance of regaining Doncetic and Reaves, if Durant is healthy, they could.