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The short-handed Los Angeles Lakers have shocked the basketball world thus far in these playoffs.
Los Angeles is up 2-0 in their first-round series against the Houston Rockets and is now two wins away from advancing to the second round.
The Lakers have played phenomenally thus far through their first two games, and the same goes for their sharp-shooting guard, Luke Kennard.
Kennard has been everything and more for the Lakers thus far, so much so that he has the edge over these Lakers legends, averaging more playoff points per game in the purple and gold.
Statmuse noted that Kennard is averaging more playoff points as a member of the Lakers than Anthony Davis, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Wilt Chamberlain, James Worthy, George Mikan, Pau Gasol and Karl Malone.
Luke Kennard averages more playoff PPG as a Laker than
— Anthony Davis
— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
— Magic Johnson
— Wilt Chamberlain
— James Worthy
— George Mikan
— Pau Gasol
— Karl Malone pic.twitter.com/0ppgTo7nIa
The 28-year-old has been incredible for Los Angeles these playoffs. Through two games, the former Duke Blue Devil is averaging 25 points per game, 5.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals, while shooting red-hot 65.4 percent from the field and 72.7 percent from beyond the arc.
Luke Kennard Making Immediate Impact in Playoffs
Kennard has only played two games as a Laker in the playoffs, but it goes to show how great he's been playing, and it's been out of necessity.
The Lakers are currently without two of their best players, guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Doncic will likely miss the entire first round, while there is a chance Reaves returns if there is a Game 5 or 6 in the series.
Los Angeles traded for Kennard in February prior to the trade deadline. At the time, it wasn't viewed as a move that would take the Lakers over the hump. That may still be the case; however, through two games, it looks like it will be enough to advance to the second round without Doncic and Reaves on the court.
In 32 games as a Laker in the regular season, Kennard averaged 9.0 points per game, 2.4 assists and 2.6 rebounds. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
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