LeBron James, Lakers Beat Kevin Durant, Rockets as NBA Fans React to 2-0 Series Lead Amid Injuries

Many wondered whether the Los Angeles Lakers would be able to hang with the Houston Rockets without stars Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, but the LeBron James-led team is in full control of the series after two games.

The Lakers downed the Rockets 101-94 on Tuesday to take a 2-0 lead in the series. The win came despite Kevin Durant's return after he missed Game 1 with a knee injury.

Fans applauded James and the Lakers for getting the job done despite still being without two key players.

The win came on the heels of a great performance from James, who posted 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, including a dunk that was reminiscent of what James was doing 10 years ago.

The Lakers also got strong games from role players like Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard. Smart had 25 points, seven assists and five steals while Kennard posted 23 points.

Los Angeles' defense held Durant to a modest 23 points while forcing the veteran forward to turn the ball over nine times. The Rockets had 15 turnovers as a team.

The timelines for Dončić and Reaves' returns are still unclear, but there's been no indication that either will return by the end of the first round. It was fair to assume that without those two, the Lakers were doomed against a strong Rockets squad, but James has quickly shown that he's capable of still being a first option.

Los Angeles will need more of what James and the Lakers' role players brought on Tuesday to stay afloat until Dončić and Reaves are back in the fold.