The Los Angeles Lakers host the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday night for Game 2 of their Western Conference First Round series. Following a victory in the opener, the Lakers aim to double their lead. On the other hand, the Rockets looks to capitalize on Los Angeles’ injury woes and even the series.
Los Angeles enters Game 2 with a 1–0 series lead after a 107–98 victory on Saturday. Despite the absence of their top two scoring threats, the Lakers relied on LeBron James (19 points, 13 assists) and a breakout 27-point performance from Luke Kennard. However, the Lakers will be without Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. Los Angeles will need another elite defensive effort from Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart to hold Houston’s offense.
The Rockets are looking to even the score after a Game 1 performance where they struggled to find their rhythm from beyond the arc. Alperen Şengün (19 points, 8 rebounds) and Amen Thompson would aim to exploit the Lakers’ depleted backcourt. With Kevin Durant currently a game-time decision, the Rockets may lean more heavily on rookie standout Reed Sheppard to provide the necessary spacing. Houston would fancy dominating the glass.
Rockets vs. Lakers: Live Streaming And Game Info
- Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2026
- Time: 10:30 PM ET (7:30 PM PT)
- Venue: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
- TV Broadcast (National): NBC, Peacock
- Radio: 710 AM ESPN (Lakers), Sports Talk 790 AM (Rockets)
- Live Streaming: NBA League Pass, Fubo (Free Trial available)
Where to watch Rockets vs. Lakers Game 2 For Free?
Fans can watch Rockets vs. Lakers on NBA League Pass, Amazon Prime (an Amazon Prime 30-day free trial), or catch it for free here.
Where To Watch Across The Globe
United States
- Date/Time: April 21, 2026, 10:30 PM ET
- Channel: TNT, NBA League Pass
Canada
- Date/Time: April 21, 2026, 10:30 PM ET
- Channel: TSN, Sportsnet, NBA League Pass
United Kingdom
- Date/Time: April 22, 2026, 3:30 AM BST
- Channel: TNT Sports, NBA League Pass
Australia
- Date/Time: April 22, 2026, 12:30 PM AEST
- Channel: ESPN, NBA League Pass
Germany
- Date/Time: April 22, 2026, 4:30 AM CEST
- Channel: DAZN, NBA League Pass
France
- Date/Time: April 22, 2026, 4:30 AM CEST
- Channel: beIN Sports, NBA League Pass
Spain
- Date/Time: April 22, 2026, 4:30 AM CEST
- Channel: Movistar+, NBA League Pass
Italy
- Date/Time: April 22, 2026, 4:30 AM CEST
- Channel: Sky Italia, NBA League Pass
India
- Date/Time: April 22, 2026, 8:00 AM IST
- Channel: Amazon Prime Video, NBA League Pass
Brazil
- Date/Time: April 21, 2026, 11:30 PM BRT
- Channel: ESPN, Prime Video, NBA League Pass
Mexico
- Date/Time: April 21, 2026, 8:30 PM CST
- Channel: ESPN, Star+, NBA League Pass
Japan
- Date/Time: April 22, 2026, 11:30 AM JST
- Channel: Rakuten TV, NBA League Pass
Philippines
- Date/Time: April 22, 2026, 10:30 AM PHT
- Channel: TV5, NBA TV Philippines, NBA League Pass
Singapore
- Date/Time: April 22, 2026, 10:30 AM SGT
- Channel: StarHub, Singtel, NBA League Pass
Projected Starting Lineups
Houston Rockets
- PG: Amen Thompson
- SG: Reed Sheppard
- SF: Kevin Durant (GTD) or Dillon Brooks
- PF: Jabari Smith Jr.
- C: Alperen Şengün
Los Angeles Lakers
- PG: Marcus Smart
- SG: Luke Kennard
- SF: LeBron James
- PF: Rui Hachimura
- C: Deandre Ayton
Injury Report
Houston Rockets
- Kevin Durant (SF): QUESTIONABLE (Right knee contusion; game-time decision)
- Fred VanVleet (PG): OUT FOR SEASON (ACL recovery)
- Steven Adams (C): OUT FOR SEASON (Ankle surgery recovery)
Los Angeles Lakers
- Luka Dončić (PG): OUT (Grade 2 left hamstring strain)
- Austin Reaves (SG): OUT (Oblique strain)
- LeBron James (SF): PROBABLE (Left elbow management)
- Jarred Vanderbilt (PF): AVAILABLE (Cleared)
Rockets vs. Lakers Head to Head
The Los Angeles Lakers lead the 2025–26 postseason series 1–0. During the regular season, the Lakers won the series 2–1. Historically, the Lakers lead the all-time regular-season matchup 152–91 and the all-time playoff series 25-16.
Prediction
The outcome of Game 2 rests heavily on the health of Kevin Durant. If Durant is cleared to play, his scoring skills should open up the floor for Şengün and Smith Jr., potentially overwhelming a Lakers backcourt that is already missing its two best scorers. While LeBron James is capable of controlling the game’s tempo, the Rockets’ superior depth and rebounding advantage are likely to prevail in a close contest.
Score Prediction: Rockets 110 – Lakers 104
