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NBA veterans LeBron James and Kevin Durant will go head-to-head in the first round of the NBA Playoffs as the Lakers take on the Rockets.
Los Angeles was picking up momentum and wins throughout March, but the franchise lost two powerhouse starters to injuries in early April. Luka Doncic (hamstring strain) and Austin Reaves (oblique strain) both went down in a 43-point loss to Oklahoma City and have been sidelined ever since.
Houston could easily take advantage of the Lakers' injuries. The Rockets have a top-five defense for the second year in a row, and the combination of KD and Alperen Şengün makes the offense pretty strong as well. If the Rockets can contain LeBron in the postseason, they have a good chance at stealing this series.
Who will prove themselves in the first round?
Here's everything you need to know about Lakers vs. Rockets, including TV channel and streaming options for each game of the playoff series.
Lakers vs. Rockets schedule
| April 18 | Game 1: Lakers 107, Rockets 98 | — | — |
| April 21 | Game 2: Rockets at Lakers | 7:30 p.m. | NBC, Peacock, DIRECTV |
| April 24 | Game 3: Lakers at Rockets | 5 p.m. | Prime Video |
| April 26 | Game 4: Lakers at Rockets | 6:30 p.m. | NBC, Peacock, DIRECTV |
| April 29 | Game 5: Rockets at Lakers* | TBA | TBA |
| May 1 | Game 6: Lakers at Rockets* | TBA | TBA |
| May 3 | Game 7: Rockets at Lakers* | TBA | TBA |
* If necessary
Where to watch Lakers vs. Rockets: TV channel, live stream
- TV channels: ESPN
- Live streams: DIRECTV | ESPN app | Peacock | Prime Video
The Lakers vs. Rockets series will air across multiple platforms thanks to the NBA's expanded broadcast deal, which will see games split among the ESPN networks, NBC and Peacock, and Prime Video.
Games on ABC, ESPN networks and NBC can be streamed live on DIRECTV, which offers a free trial to new users.
Fans can also turn to the streaming homes for each broadcast partner — Prime Video, Peacock or the ESPN app — for games on those platforms.
NBA Playoffs bracket 2026
Click here for the updated 2026 NBA Playoffs bracket from The Sporting News.
NBA Playoffs schedule, key dates for 2026
Here are the key dates to know for the NBA Playoffs and offseason.
| Play-In Tournament | April 14-17 |
| First round begins | April 18 |
| Conference semifinals begin | May 4* |
| NBA Draft Lottery | May 10 |
| Eastern Conference finals begin | May 19* |
| Western Conference finals begin | May 20* |
| NBA Finals begin | June 3 |
| NBA Finals Game 7 (if necessary) | June 19 |
| NBA Draft | June 23-24 |
* Can move up depending on earlier series
English (US)