Lakers Lean on Double Teams to Counter Injuries to Star Players

With star guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves out indefinitely with injuries, the Los Angeles Lakers are relying on a strong defense to carry them through the playoffs.

The Lakers are 2-0 in the first-round playoff series agains the Houston Rockets. Los Angeles started using double teams to shut down NBA legend and Rockets forward Kevin Durant when he made his series debut in Game 2 on Tuesday.

Durant missed Game 1 of the first-round series with a knee injury, which helped the Lakers win that game 107-98. When Durant returned for Game 2, the Lakers’ double-team strategy worked wonders against the NBA’s No. 5 all-time leading scorer, allowing Los Angeles to pick up a second 101-94 win.

Apr 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) looks on from the court in the second half of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Durant gave up nine turnovers, which ties his playoff career-high. The Lakers also limited Durant to 23 total points and just three points during the second half.

“Yeah, they’re switching our pick-and-rolls, and then once they switch they’re just doubling off of me,” Durant said after the game, per The Athletic. “So it’s hard to get into our actions. We’re used to teams playing pick-and-roll, or maybe trapping me or playing in the drop. But they’re switching, and then just running a guy at me at the half (court line) or at the 3-point (line), or wherever I’m at, to double.”