The Lakers comfortably defeated the Rockets, Durant was absent due to injury, Kennard scored the highest points in the game, full game report.

Today, the Lakers hosted the first game of the series against the Rockets at home, Durant was absent due to a knee injury. The Rockets starting lineup consisted of Sheppard, Okogie, Amen, Jabari Smith, and Sengun. The Lakers starters were Smart, Kennard, Hachimura, James, and Ayton.

After the start, the Lakers first committed a turnover, the Rockets scored first, the Lakers' first playoff basket came from Ayton.

Kennard, Hachimura, and James all made long-range two-point shots, at this point the Lakers were 4 for 4.

James made a long pass to Smart for a basket score, then Old James himself added a difficult drifting shot.

James consecutively assisted Ayton and Hachimura, the Lakers led 17-9.

After the Rockets scored 5 consecutive points, the Lakers called their first timeout. Doncic and Reaves were both present today to support the team.

Kennard and LaVavia both scored on layups, the Rockets hit a three-pointer, James assisted Ayton for a dunk.

Kennard made a three-pointer.

However, the Rockets always managed to respond. Kennard made another mid-range shot.

James flew to save the ball, gained possession, the old guy is fighting hard. After the Lakers timeout, James entered rest time.

Hayes made 2+0, the Rockets scored inside, Kennard continued to score with jump shots, multiple jump balls occurred between both sides, Sengun made 2+1, Smart made one of two free throws, the first quarter ended with Lakers 33-29 Rockets. James had 4 points, 2 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal; Kennard 11 points; Hachimura 5 points; Ayton 6 points, 2 rebounds; Smart 3 points, 4 assists; LaVavia 2 points, 1 assist; Hayes 2 points. James's 8 assists set a new record for his playoff career single-quarter assists.

In the second quarter, Bronny entered the rotation, James made a mid-range shot.

James assisted Vanderbilt for a three-pointer, quite surprising, in a playoff game, Vanderbilt made a three-pointer.

Bronny committed a passing turnover, still too little experience.

James made a behind-the-back pass to Ayton, fouled, made both free throws.

The Rockets scored 5 consecutive points, Ayton and Hachimura both scored, after timeout, Amen made both free throws, James blocked Amen Thompson.

Old James went down to rest for a bit, this call was an offensive foul on Ayton, the Lakers challenged, succeeded.

After Ayton's alley-oop dunk, the Lakers officially led by double digits.

Hachimura committed a three-point shooting foul, opponent made 2 of 3 free throws, Lakers offense stalled, James returned, Smart stumbled and scored.

The Lakers consecutively committed turnovers, Sengun accumulated 4 free throws all made, Amen drove and shot, halftime ended with Lakers 50-48 Rockets. James 6 points, 3 rebounds, 10 assists, 1 steal, 1 block; Kennard 11 points, 2 rebounds; Ayton 12 points, 4 rebounds; Hachimura 7 points, 3 rebounds; Smart 7 points, 6 assists, 2 blocks; LaVavia 2 points, 2 assists; Vanderbilt 3 points, 2 rebounds; Hayes 2 points, 1 rebound.

In the third quarter, the Rockets first made a three-pointer, overtook the Lakers, Ayton scored on a putback, James scored on isolation play, very tough.

Smart missed both free throws, opponent's three-pointer tied the game, Hachimura responded.

Amen scored two points, Kennard shook and made a three-pointer.

James again forcefully scored inside.

This was already the fourth jump ball of the day between both sides.

The Lakers scored via free throws, the Rockets scored inside, LaVavia made both free throws, the Rockets made a floater, Kennard's finger was originally injured, got poked again, made both free throws.

Opponent made one of two free throws, Smart made a difficult layup, again leading by 10 points.

The Rockets' Tate and Udoka both received technical fouls, Kennard made 1 of 2 free throws.

Both sides were in a free-throw battle, offensive pace was relatively sluggish. The Lakers entered the fourth quarter with a 75-66 lead. In the final quarter, the Rockets first made a three-pointer, Hachimura responded with two mid-range shots.

Kennard's cold-blooded three-pointer, Lakers lead extended to 13 points, the largest lead of the game.

Ayton traveling violation, opponent's three-pointer, James responded with a long-distance three-pointer.

Then! Kennard made another three-pointer! Directly forced a Rockets timeout.

Opponent scored inside, James missed both free throws, Lakers currently totaled 14 of 23 free throws, very poor. Kennard made another three-pointer, at this point he was 5 for 5!

The Rockets scored 4 consecutive points, Lakers timeout. Smart made a three-pointer, James switched to a left-handed floater and scored, this move came out.

The Rockets scored 4 consecutive points, this call was a foul on Ayton, the Lakers challenged, succeeded.

James scored with a fadeaway, difficult, high difficulty.

The Rockets scored 5 consecutive points, James assisted Ayton for a floater.

Rockets dunk, Smart made both free throws, opponent scored on an inside putback dunk, time was ticking, both sides exchanged blows, last 15.8 seconds, Lakers led by 9 points, Rockets completely out of hope.

Final score Lakers 107-98 Rockets. James 19 points, 8 rebounds, 13 assists, 2 steals, 1 block; Kennard 27 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists; Hachimura 14 points, 2 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks; Ayton 19 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists; Smart 15 points, 2 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 blocks; Vanderbilt 3 points, 5 rebounds; LaVavia 6 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists; Hayes 4 points, 1 rebound.

Full game stats:

Congratulations to the Lakers, winning series G1! Strong praise for Kennard!