With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves both out of action and unlikely to return in the series, the Los Angeles Lakers were led by an unlikely hero on Saturday night.
It was Luke Kennard, not LeBron James, carrying the load for Los Angeles in their Game 1 win over the Houston Rockets.
Luke Kennard scored 27 points in 38 minutes as the Lakers beat the Rockers minus Kevin Durant 107-98. Kennard put up his 27 points off with only 13 shots from the field, connecting on nine of them. He also went a perfect 5-of-5 from long range and even added four rebounds and three assists.
James did his part, scoring 19 off 15 shots while recording a double-double thanks to dishing out 13 assists and bringing down eight boards.
Luke Kennard led the Lakers to a series-opening win
But there’s no denying that the Lakers don’t win the game without Kennard stepping up.