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Only two such playoff wins in NBA history belong to Lakers
TL;DR
The Los Angeles Lakers have made NBA history by winning their first two playoff games against the Houston Rockets without two key players, Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. This marks the only instance in NBA history where a team has achieved such a feat.
Key points
- Los Angeles Lakers lead series 2-0 against Houston Rockets
- Lakers won without Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves
- Both players averaged over 20 PPG in regular season
- Only two playoff wins in NBA history under similar circumstances
- Lakers achieved this feat for the first time
Los Angeles LakersHouston RocketsLuka DončićAustin Reaves
Only two such playoff wins in NBA history belong to Lakers originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The No. 4 Los Angeles Lakers (53-29) have won their first two matches (Game 1 and Game 2) against the No. 5 Houston Rockets (52-30) in the 2026 NBA playoffs' first round and have silenced their critics. The Lakers are playing without two of their biggest stars, Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, and are proving the doubters wrong. The Lakers have built a solid 2-0 lead in the series, which is the first time a team has won two playoff games without two players who averaged 20+ PPG during the regular season and made 100+ three-pointers, according to OptaSTATS report.
During the regular season, while sacrificing themselves for the Lakers, Dončić was averaging 33.5 PPG and Austin Reaves was averaging 23.3 PPG. And then what shouldn't have happened did - both players have been sidelined since April 2, with Luka suffering a hamstring injury and Austin dealing with an oblique strain.
However, a ray of hope emerged when the Lakers did something that had never been done before.
“In NBA history, only twice has a team won a playoff game despite missing 2 players who each averaged 20.0+ PPG while making 100+ threes for that team during the regular season,” OptaSTATS tweeted. “Both wins were by this year's @Lakers.”
After Game 2, LeBron James said:
Q&A
What is the significance of the Lakers winning two playoff games without key players?
The Lakers' achievement is significant as it marks the first time in NBA history that a team has won two playoff games without two players who averaged over 20 points per game during the regular season.
Who are the players missing from the Lakers during the playoffs?
The Lakers are missing Luka Dončić, who averaged 33.5 points per game, and Austin Reaves, who averaged 23.3 points per game, both sidelined due to injuries.
How did the Lakers perform in the regular season before the playoffs?
During the regular season, the Lakers finished with a 53-29 record, showcasing strong performances despite the absence of key players in the playoffs.
What injuries are Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves dealing with?
Luka Dončić is suffering from a hamstring injury, while Austin Reaves is dealing with an oblique strain, both of which have kept them out of the playoffs since April 2.
