The Los Angeles LakersTeam·Los Angeles Lakers etched their name into NBA playoff lore on Tuesday night, pulling off a feat no team had ever accomplished: winning two postseason games while missing two regular-season scorers who averaged 20 or more points per game and drained at least 100 three-pointers each. In a gritty 101–94 Game 2 triumph over the Houston RocketsTeam·Houston Rockets, the fourth-seeded Lakers seized a commanding 2-0 lead in their first-round Western Conference series, all while navigating significant injuries to key scoring options.
This marks the only two instances in NBA history of any team prevailing in the playoffs under those precise conditions—both courtesy of the Lakers this postseason. Their 101–94 victory showcased veteran poise amid adversity, with LeBron JamesPlayer·LeBron James delivering a typically masterful performance to steer the shorthanded squad past a Rockets team featuring the return of Kevin DurantPlayer·Kevin Durant via an "Extraordinary Circumstances" exemption for awards eligibility after playing 64 games.
The Lakers' ability to overcome the absences of these high-volume shooters—players who combined for substantial regular-season production—highlights a depth and adaptability that positions them strongly for a deep playoff run. It's their first such title chase momentum since 2020, as they now hold home-court leverage and psychological edge against the fifth-seeded Rockets. Game 3 looms as the next test, with Los Angeles aiming to extend this historic streak on the road.
Details on the specific missing players and their exact regular-season stats remain undisclosed in reports, but the accomplishment stands as a testament to the Lakers' resilience. No team had previously won even one playoff contest without such personnel, let alone two, making this a singular chapter in postseason annals.
For the Rockets, Durant's return injected star power, yet they couldn't overcome the Lakers' defensive clampdown and timely execution. The series now shifts to Houston, where the fifth seeds must win twice to force a return trip to Los Angeles. With the Lakers demonstrating they can thrive shorthanded, the path to advancing clears further, amplifying stakes in a playoff landscape where every possession carries weight.
LeBron James (23) of the Lakers guarded by Kevin Durant (7) of the Rockets during a playoff game. Icon Sportswire/IMAGO
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