Without Kevin Durant, Rockets’ young core fails test in Game 1 loss at Lakers
With Tari Eason as the lone exception, Houston’s so-called “young core” had a rough night in Saturday’s playoff-opening loss to the Lakers.
With Kevin Durant sidelined by an ill-timed knee injury, the Houston Rockets opened their 2026 playoff run with Saturday’s 107-98 loss ( box score ) in Los Angeles. Led by LeBron James, who finished with 19 points (60% FG), 13 assists, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals, the Lakers now lead the first-round series, 1-0. From a Houston perspective, the big story in Durant’s absence was the underperformance of the team’s so-called “young core” of prospects.
Comparised of first-round draft picks from the 2021 through 2024 classes, the disappointing showings included: Alperen Sengun: 6-of-19 shooting (31. 6%), 0-of-2 on 3-pointers, 3 turnovers Amen Thompson: 7-of-18 shooting (38. 9%), 3-of-6 on free throws (50.
0%) Jabari Smith Jr. : 5-of-14 shooting (35. 7%), 3-of-9 on 3-pointers (33.
3%) Reed Sheppard: 6-of-20 shooting (30. 0%), 5-of-14 on 3-pointers (35. 7%) 4 turnovers The lone exception to the struggles was Tari Eason, who had 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 steals in 24 minutes off the bench while making all seven of his shots.