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Kevin Durant Commits Nine Turnovers in Game 2 Loss
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant led his team with 23 points in Tuesday's 101-94 loss to the Lakers, but he also committed a game-high nine turnovers. The rest of the Rockets had only six turnovers combined. Returning from a knee injury, which kept him sidelined for the series opener, Durant logged 41 minutes. He made only one of four outside attempts but was efficient overall, going 7-for-12 from the field and 8-for-9 at the free-throw line. The two-time Finals MVP capped off his line with six rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block. Houston now heads home with a 2-0 series deficit, but the team can still turn the series around if they get the best out of Durant.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Marcus Smart Catches Fire in Game 2
Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart made five of his seven attempts from outside and contributed 25 points in Tuesday's 101-94 Game 2 win over the Houston Rockets. Only LeBron James (28) had a higher points tally in the contest, with Smart finishing 8-for-13 from the field and 4-for-5 at the line. As usual, Smart also made his presence felt on the defensive end, snagging five steals and blocking one shot. His line also included two rebounds and seven assists. The Lakers are missing Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) to start the postseason, but you wouldn't know it from how well Smart and Luke Kennard have played. So far, the duo is averaging a combined 45.0 points per game in the first-round series.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
LeBron James Leads Lakers to Victory With Game-High 28 Points
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James posted a game-high 28 points as the team grabbed a 2-0 series lead against the Houston Rockets with a 101-94 win on Tuesday night. The legendary forward also tallied eight rebounds, seven assists, and one steal, finishing 8-for-20 from the field and 10-for-14 at the charity stripe. James' work on the offensive end included a jaw-dropping reverse dunk in the third quarter. Even with Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) on the shelf, Houston has struggled to match the Lakers, largely because of James's all-out effort. The four-time Finals MVP may be 41, but he's playing with the vigor of a 21-year-old embarking on his first postseason, averaging 23.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 10.0 assists, and 1.5 steals through the opening games of the first round.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jake LaRavia Exits Early Tuesday
Los Angeles Lakers forward Jake LaRavia (leg) missed the end of Tuesday's Game 2 win over Houston, Mike Trudell of Spectrum SportsNet reports. The 24-year-old exited the action due to an apparent right leg injury with 5:05 remaining in the fourth quarter. LaRavia finished Tuesday's win scoreless in 16 minutes off the bench but grabbed two rebounds and had one block. The Lakers have been badly stung by injuries late in the season, and it's possible LaRavia will also have to miss time. In that case, Jarred Vanderbilt must be ready for a heavier workload in the second unit.
Source: Mike Trudell
Source: Mike Trudell
Harrison Barnes Injures Left Wrist in Game 2
San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (wrist) exited Tuesday's Game 2 loss to Portland early in the fourth quarter, Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News reports. He was hurt in a collision with Portland's Deni Avdija. Barnes went to the locker room and didn't return to the game, even after coming back to the bench. The 2015 NBA champion finished with four points and one rebound in 15 minutes off the bench. Keldon Johnson and Dylan Harper are likely to see more minutes in the second unit if Barnes has to miss additional time.
Source: Tom Orsborn
Source: Tom Orsborn
Jaylen Brown Leads All Scorers With 36 Points in Game 2
Boston Celtics guard/forward Jaylen Brown put up a game-high 36 points in Tuesday's 111-97 Game 2 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. Boston had a chance to take a 2-0 series lead on home court, but everyone on the team except Brown struggled to score. The 2024 Finals MVP went 11-for-24 from the field, including 5-for-12 from three-point range. He took 12 of the Celtics' 18 free-throw attempts, making nine of them. Brown completed his line with seven rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block. Tuesday's loss was a setback for the Celtics, but they can still feel confident about advancing to Round 2, with Brown in top form. He has led his team in scoring in both of the first two games of the matchup, averaging 31.0 points.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
VJ Edgecombe Has Historic Outing in Game 2 Win
Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe scored a team-high 30 points in Tuesday's 111-97 Game 2 victory over the Boston Celtics. The 20-year-old also notched 10 rebounds, two assists, and two steals, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to record a playoff double-double with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds. After finishing 0-for-5 from downtown in Game 1, Edgecombe made six of his 10 attempts from deep. He had a 12-for-20 record overall from the field. This was a hugely impressive performance from Edgecombe, particularly since he was hurt on a fall early in the game and went to the locker room twice.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Wins Clutch Player of the Year Award
Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added another individual award to his growing collection on Tuesday, having been named the 2025-26 NBA Clutch Player of the Year. The reigning MVP led the league with 175 points in clutch times and helped his team to a 20-7 record in clutch games this season. In these games, the Thunder outscored the opposition by 93 points in clutch situations with Gilgeous-Alexander on the court. The NBA introduced the Clutch Player of the Year award in 2023, and past winners include De'Aaron Fox, Stephen Curry, and Jalen Brunson. Gilgeous-Alexander also hopes to win his second MVP trophy this year.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Austin Reaves Begins Return-to-Play Protocol
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (oblique) has begun a return-to-play protocol on the practice court, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports. Lakers head coach JJ Redick provided this update ahead of Tuesday's Game 2 against the Houston Rockets. Redick reiterated that there is no change to Reaves' initial return timeline. The Lakers ruled Reaves out for 4-6 weeks on April 4 due to a Grade 2 oblique strain. Earlier Tuesday, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Reaves is on track to return late in the first-round series. He is reportedly further along in his rehab than Luka Doncic (hamstring). Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart have more responsibilities in the backcourt until Reaves and Doncic return.
Source: Jovan Buha
Source: Jovan Buha
Luka Doncic Not Expected to Play in First-Round Series
Los Angeles Lakers point guard Luka Doncic (hamstring) is not expected to play in the first-round series against the Houston Rockets, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. Ahead of Tuesday's Game 2, Charania provided an update on both Doncic and Austin Reaves (oblique). "The sense around the Lakers is that Austin Reaves is actually the one that's further along than Luka Doncic in their respective rehab processes," Charania said. "I am told Austin Reaves has started 1 on 1 on court work. The Lakers are not expecting Luka Doncic to be back in this series. He is out indefinitely." With Doncic sidelined, LeBron James and Luke Kennard have taken on larger offensive roles. When he returns, Reaves is also expected to benefit from the situation.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Kevin Durant Good to Go Tuesday
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (knee) will return to action on Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Lakers, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. The veteran star sat out the series opener due to a right knee contusion but has been cleared to make his comeback. As a result of Durant's return, Reed Sheppard will move to the second unit. Getting Durant back is a major boost for the Rockets, who will try to avoid a 2-0 series deficit. In three regular-season meetings, Durant's offensive contribution was limited to 20.3 points per game against the Lakers. However, he was highly efficient in his scoring, making 42.9 percent of his three-point attempts and 56.1 percent of his attempts overall.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Victor Wembanyama Lands in Concussion Protocol, Won't Return Tuesday
San Antonio Spurs forward/center Victor Wembanyama has entered concussion protocol and won't return to Tuesday's Game 2 against Portland, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. The 2026 NBA Defensive Player of the Year took a hard fall in the first quarter, landing face-first on the court. Before his early exit, Wembanyama managed five points, four rebounds, one assist, and one block in 12 minutes. Luke Kornet is set for a heavier workload in the second half and could also play a more important role in future games if Wembanyama misses time.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Jonathan Isaac Unlikely to Play in Game 2
Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac (knee) is doubtful for Wednesday's Game 2 against Detroit as he continues working back from a left knee sprain. He has not played in over a month and remains limited in practice, making a return in this series unlikely. Isaac's absence does not significantly alter Orlando's rotation, with Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr. continuing to handle frontcourt minutes. Jamal Cain could stay in the mix for depth minutes, though his role remains small. Fantasy impact is negligible, with no clear shift in usage across the core group.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Mark Williams Could Sit Again in Game 2
Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams (foot) is questionable for Wednesday's Game 2 against Oklahoma City after missing Game 1 due to a sore left foot. His absence left Phoenix thin inside, with Oso Ighodaro starting and recording nine rebounds and three assists in 26 minutes, while Khaman Maluach added three rebounds in 15 minutes off the bench. Ighodaro would likely start again if Williams sits and should help on the glass, though his production outside of that is limited. Devin Booker and Jalen Green should continue to lead the offense, while the center spot is mostly a low-usage, role-based position.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Grayson Allen Questionable for Game 2
Phoenix Suns guard/forward Grayson Allen (hamstring) is questionable for Wednesday's Game 2 against Oklahoma City after being listed on the injury report in recent games but not seeing the floor. He was available for Game 1 but logged a DNP-CD, leaving his role unclear even if cleared. With Jordan Goodwin (calf) also questionable, Phoenix could lean on Royce O'Neale, who posted four points, one three-pointer, three rebounds, three assists, and one block in 23 minutes, while Ryan Dunn added five rebounds in 25 minutes. Both are candidates for larger roles and carry DFS appeal if Allen remains limited. Devin Booker and Jalen Green should continue to anchor usage.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
