The Los Angeles Lakers entered Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets with a depleted roster, missing key offensive engines in Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.
However, the Lakers’ sharpshooter Luke Kennard made sure the Los Angeles fans were in for a treat on Saturday night as JJ Redick’s team clinched a 107-98 Game 1 upset against the Rockets.
Luke Kennard Put the NBA World on Notice in Lakers’ Game 1 Win
While LeBron James delivered a vintage, high-usage performance against a Rockets team that was without Kevin Durant (right knee contusion), it was Kennard who stepped into the limelight with a monstrous performance.
Instead of folding under the playoff pressure, Kennard put on a clinic. He dealt with Houston’s physical defense with incredible poise, recording 27 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists while shooting 9-of-13 from the floor and 5-of-5 from 3-point range.
Naturally, the online NBA community took note of this performance, with the NBA’s official X account posting, “Luke Kennard. COOKING. He’s got 24 points on 8-11 shooting… a new playoff career high!”
Luke Kennard.
COOKING.
He’s got 24 points on 8-11 shooting… a new playoff career high! pic.twitter.com/wcDgRlzS6O
— NBA (@NBA) April 19, 2026
“Apparently Houston didn’t think they needed a plan for how to cover Kennard,” Jake Cobb wrote.
“LOOK AT KD’S REACTION TO THIS LUKE KENNARD MASTERCLASS 😭😭,” LakersMuse posted.
LOOK AT KD’S REACTION TO THIS LUKE KENNARD MASTERCLASS 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/aqjnt1N7Cw
— LakersMuse (@LALMuse) April 19, 2026
BronMuse highlighted: “LUKE KENNARD HAS 24 POINTS ON 4/4 3PT 😭😭😭🔥🔥LAKERS NATION IS ALIVE!!!!!”
“Luke Kennard has 24 points in a pivotal playoff game for the Lakers. Reminder: the Lakers only had to give up Gabe Vincent for him. Unreal,” LegionHoops noted.
Luke Kennard has 24 points in a pivotal playoff game for the Lakers. Reminder: the Lakers only had to give up Gabe Vincent for him. Unreal.
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) April 19, 2026
“Luke Kennard the first ever player to join the Lakers and shoot BETTER 😭😭😭,” LakeShowYo posted.
“LUKE KENNARD TONIGHT: 27 POINTS, 9/13 FGM, 5/5 3PM, 38 MINUTES. Best game as a Laker,” Hoop Central shared.
Meanwhile, SportsCenter shared a hilarious post after the Lakers pulled off a win against the Rockets without Dončić on the court: “Who the Lakers got out there? Luke Kennard was hoopin’ 😭🔥”
Who the Lakers got out there? Luke Kennard was hoopin’ 😭🔥 pic.twitter.com/V4FeG7FfoY
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 19, 2026
Kennard averaged 8.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists during the regular season while playing off the ball. True to form, he was the deadliest marksman in the league, shooting 47.8% from 3-point range.
Speaking to reporters after the game, a humble Kennard reflected on his Game 1 explosion and said, “It’s everybody continuing to build confidence in me to be aggressive and look for my shot whenever I can. … When I see space and the rim, I’m going to look to get it up, and my team wants me to do that, coach wants me to do that.”
The Lakers will look to take a commanding 2-0 series lead when they face the Rockets in Game 2 on Tuesday night.
