LeBron James, Lakers Top Rockets as Durant Sits With Injury, Fans React to Kennard's 27 Points in G1

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Houston Rockets in a Game 1 matchup that saw both teams without key stars.

The 107-98 victory was fueled by a balanced team effort, as Luke Kennard stepped up with 27 points, helping offset the absence of Luka Doncic, who remains sidelined after suffering a left hamstring strain during an April 2 third-quarter exit against Oklahoma City.

Meanwhile, Kevin Durant was unavailable for the Houston Rockets in Game 1 after sustaining a knee injury in practice this past week, per ESPN's Dave McMenamin.

Kennard led the way for the Los Angeles Lakers with 27 points, adding four rebounds and three assists while shooting 9-of-13 from the field and a perfect 5-of-5 from 3-point range.

After a quiet first half, James finished with a double-double, posting 19 points and 13 assists while adding eight rebounds, two steals and a block in his 19th postseason appearance.

All five starters reached double figures for the Los Angeles Lakers, with Rui Hachimura adding 14 points, Deandre Ayton recording a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds, and Marcus Smart contributing 15 points and eight assists.

The Lakers also dominated from the field, shooting 61 percent while holding the Houston Rockets to just 38 percent.

Despite holding a 10-point lead at one point during the first half, the Rockets closed out the first half on a run to trail 50-48 into the break. 

Houston's Alperen Sengun led the team with 11 while Jabari Smith Jr. finished with 10. DeAndre Ayton led the Lakers with 12 points and Luke Kennard tapped in 11 while James finished with six. 

The Lakers took a 75-66 lead after three after Houston's Thompson had a big quarter to contend with a big quarter from Kennard. 

Kennard and the Los Angeles Lakers didn't let up in the fourth, pulling away late to secure a nine-point win.

The winner of the Lakers-Rockets series will move on to face the champion of the No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder and No. 8 Phoenix Suns series in the Western Conference Semifinals.