The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Houston Rockets 101-94, taking a 2-0 lead in their playoff series despite injuries to key players Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Coach JJ Redick referenced a private conversation with Marcus Smart that contributed to the team's recent success.
Key points
Lakers beat Rockets 101-94
Lakers lead playoff series 2-0
Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves were injured
JJ Redick spoke about a conversation with Marcus Smart
Lakers previously lost three straight games
Los Angeles LakersHouston RocketsOklahoma City Thunder
The Lakers did it again, beating the Houston Rockets, 101-94, and taking a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series with their two top scorers sidelined with injuries.
LeBron James was the brute. Luke Kennard was the sharpshooter. And Marcus Smart the emotional leader, welcoming floor burns, throwing his 6-3 body at 6-11 Kevin Durant, doing whatever was necessary.
Smart's impact was easy to discern. What was impossible to witness is a conversation Lakers coach JJ Redick said he had with Smart.
Redick brought it up after the game. He said the conversation took place earlier this month. After the Lakers lost three straight games, including two shellackings against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
"I'm not going to share (with) you the details," Redick said during a postgame press conference at Crypto.com Arena, "but the biggest thing was just, because he has the voice he has, he can help create the belief and the confidence in our group. And I think he's done that."
Said Smart, "I think I was living for this moment."
Q&A
What was the score of the Lakers vs. Rockets playoff game on April 21?
The Lakers won the game against the Rockets with a score of 101-94.
Who were the key players sidelined during the Lakers' playoff game?
Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves were the two top scorers sidelined due to injuries.
What did Lakers coach JJ Redick say about Marcus Smart's impact?
Coach JJ Redick highlighted Marcus Smart's emotional leadership and his willingness to take risks during the game.
How did the Lakers perform in their playoff series before the game against the Rockets?
Before the game against the Rockets, the Lakers had lost three straight games, including two against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Related Articles
Sports
The more time Rosenior got, the worse Chelsea became
Liam Rosenior's time at Chelsea started strong but ended in decline.
Sky Sports··1 min read
Soccer
Chelsea part company with Rosenior
Chelsea has sacked Liam Rosenior after just 107 days in charge.
Sky Sports··1 min read
Sports
Women's boxing divisional rankings: New No. 1s at super middleweight and atomweight
Women's boxing sees new champions at super middleweight and atomweight divisions!
ESPN News··1 min read
Sports
Oregon secures commitment from Alabama transfer F Taylor Bol Bowen
Oregon Ducks secure commitment from Alabama transfer Taylor Bol Bowen.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports·Feature
Michigan women's basketball hosting blue blood UConn next season
Michigan women's basketball will host UConn next season in a historic matchup.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
'Couldn’t even hit a four at that age': Vaibhav Sooryavanshi leaves Aiden Markram stunned
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi impresses Aiden Markram with his batting at just 15!
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
Moondog performs during the first quarter of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena.
A member of the Cleveland Cavaliers Scream Team performs during a time out during the second half of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
Cleveland Brows player Myles Garrett riles up the crowd during the first half of game one between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
A fan waves a towel during the second half of game one between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
Fans arrive to watch warmups before game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena.
1 / 5
NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
Moondog performs during the first quarter of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena.
1 / 5
NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
Moondog performs during the first quarter of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena.
2 / 5
NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
A member of the Cleveland Cavaliers Scream Team performs during a time out during the second half of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
3 / 5
NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
Cleveland Brows player Myles Garrett riles up the crowd during the first half of game one between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
4 / 5
NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
A fan waves a towel during the second half of game one between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
5 / 5
NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
Fans arrive to watch warmups before game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena.
It was scintillating, as Smart finished with 25 points on 8-of-13 shooting, including 5-for-7 from 3-point range, seven assists and five steals. He also played his signature physical defense. He also made key contributions in Game 1 with 15 points, eight assists and two blocks.
And since that conversation between Redick and Smart? The Lakers are 5-0.
Very favorable analytics
After nine stellar years with the Celtics, Boston shocked Smart by trading him to Memphis before the 2023-24 season. Less than two seasons later, Smart was packing yet again, this time traded to the lowly Washington Wizards.
He was humbled again after the 2024-2025 season when Wizards bought Smart out of his contract.
In the offseason, the Lakers signed Smart to a two-year deal even though injuries had limited him to 54 games the previous two seasons.
"It's easy to sort of write somebody off as being older and not being as good," Redick said. "But all the analytics defensively, the analytics as a secondary playmaker, they all were very favorable. So we felt really comfortable bringing him on board."
Said Smart, "…I could have been out the league, right? Injuries and things like that. So to be able to be back on this stage again, making the plays that I'm making with these guys, with this team, this organization, I'm just grateful."
Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart (36) and Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) chase down a loose ball in the first half of Game 2 of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart (36) and Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) chase down a loose ball in the first half of Game 2 of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena.
This season he has played in 64 games and reasserted himself as a team leader. He finished the regular season sixth among the Lakers in scoring with 9.3 points per game, fourth in assists with 3.0 per game, second in steals with 1.4 per game. He also is sixth in minutes played with 28.5 per game.
In the first two games in the Lakers’ first-round playoff series, Smart showed he can fill up box scores. He has combined for 40 points, 15 assists, six steals and three blocks in the team’s two victories.
Marcus Smart's full impact
But Lakers forward Rui Hachimura said the box scores do not reflect Smart’s full impact.
"… I think he get us going as a team, especially in the start of the game," said Hachimura, who later added, "He make all the big plays that doesn't show on the stats, too."
Smart said everything has been heightened with Doncic and Reaves out and the Lakers in need of players who can help fill the void.
"And my whole life, I've been that guy that you can just throw in certain spots whenever you need," Smart said, calling himself a Swiss Army knife. "That's me filling in the gaps, whatever we need, whenever we need it."
