All articles tagged with #luke kennard
With Austin Reaves likely back for Game 5, JJ Redick argues the Lakers should start Reaves over Luke Kennard, whose hot start cooled in Games 3–4. Reaves’ playmaking could unlock Kennard for open looks and gives LA a needed boost in a must-win scenario, while balancing minutes to avoid overworking Reaves.
LeBron James sparked the Los Angeles Lakers to a 107-98 playoff-opening win over the Houston Rockets, finishing with 19 points, 13 assists and 8 rebounds while Luke Kennard added a playoff career-high 27. Durant left early with a bruised knee and could return for game two. Cavaliers, Nuggets and Knicks also won their openers, and Suns and Magic sealed playoff spots via the play-in.
The Los Angeles Lakers opened the 2026 NBA playoffs with a 107-98 win over the Houston Rockets to take a 1-0 series lead. LeBron James set the tone with 19 points, 13 assists and 8 rebounds, including eight assists in the first quarter, while Luke Kennard contributed a career-best 27 points as the Lakers shot 60.6% from the floor. The Rockets were without Kevin Durant and struggled offensively, and Rockets star Durant’s status for Game 2 remained uncertain. Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart and Rui Hachimura also produced key stretches for L.A. as they prepare for Game 2 on Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. PT.
Luke Kennard exploded for 27 points on 9-of-13 shooting (5-of-5 from three) to spark the Lakers in Game 1 against the Rockets, while LeBron James tallied 19 points and a game-high 13 assists. Deandre Ayton added 19 points and 11 rebounds and Rui Hachimura provided timely scoring as LA leaned on depth and solid defense to seize the opener.
The Lakers used a balanced attack led by LeBron James (19 points, 13 assists, 8 rebounds) and a playoff-career-high 27 from Luke Kennard to beat Houston in Game 1. Deandre Ayton and Rui Hachimura provided efficient scoring, and LA shot 60.6% from the field and 52.6% from three while stifling the Rockets to 37.6% overall. Defense was strong, but 18 Lakers turnovers and Houston’s 21 offensive rebounds (24 second-chance points) kept the game closer than it could’ve been, highlighting areas to clean up even in a comfortable win.
Luke Kennard hit a last-second 3 to lift the Los Angeles Lakers to a 105-104 win over the Orlando Magic, extending their winning streak to nine games as LeBron James became the NBA's all-time leader in games played. Kennard, the Lakers’ midseason acquisition, had been in a recent slump but was assured by coach JJ Redick and buried the decisive shot from a baseline out-of-bounds play as teammates mobbed him at the final buzzer.
At the 2026 trade deadline, the Lakers swapped Gabe Vincent for Luke Kennard to boost 3-point shooting, costing their last second-round pick while preserving their lone first-rounder for potential summer moves; with an open roster spot they’ll target a buyout candidate as they push for the playoffs.
The Lakers traded Gabe Vincent to the Atlanta Hawks for sharpshooter Luke Kennard and a 2032 second-round pick. Kennard is shooting a league-best 49.7% from three this season off the bench and is expected to space the floor for LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves. The move is viewed as a marginal upgrade, with LA planning no more deals today and eyeing a bigger summer splash using about $60 million in cap space and multiple first-round picks (2026, 2031, 2032).
Ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks vs Memphis Grizzlies game, a Same Game Parlay with Malik Beasley and Luke Kennard to score 15+ points each has odds of +525. Beasley's increased role due to Khris Middleton's absence and the Grizzlies' defensive struggles make his scoring potential favorable, while Kennard's recent form and past performances against the Bucks add to the parlay's appeal.