Overview
- LeBron James led the Lakers with 28 points in a 98-78 win Friday, fueled by a 27-3 first‑half burst that held Houston to 35% shooting and a season‑low 78 points.
- Los Angeles opens the West semifinal at top‑seeded Oklahoma City on Tuesday, with reports indicating Doncic is unlikely for Game 1 as analysts call the Thunder a far tougher matchup.
- Three Eastern series will be decided in Game 7s, with Celtics‑76ers on Saturday and Pistons‑Magic and Cavaliers‑Raptors on Sunday following RJ Barrett’s overtime winner and Detroit’s 24‑point comeback.
- Across the NHL, Montreal, Buffalo and Vegas entered Friday with Game 6 chances to close out series, as Buffalo monitored rookie Noah Ostlund’s lower‑body injury that coach Lindy Ruff said “doesn’t look good.”
- The Lakers claimed their first playoff series win since 2023, and a compressed second‑round schedule after Tuesday could strain a rotation still reintegrating Austin Reaves and waiting on Doncic’s hamstring.