NBA Playoffs Scores, Live Updates: Kevin Durant, Rockets Face Lakers After Upset Wins for Trail Blazers, 76ers
The NBA playoffs keep rolling, with another triple-header of Game 2s ahead on Tuesday. First up: the Celtics look to avoid slipping after their dominant Game 1 win over the 76ers. The Trail Blazers followed it up with an upset win of their own after the Spurs lost Victor Wembanyama, who suffered a scary fall and entered the concussion protocol. The Lakers hope to stem the upset tide, though they will now face a healthier Rockets squad with Kevin Durant in the lineup.
Boston took Game 1 123–91, with Jayson Tatum setting the tone, scoring 25 points and adding 11 rebounds and seven assists in his first playoff game since last year’s Achilles injury. Jaylen Brown led all scorers with 26 points, while Tyrese Maxey led Philadelphia with 21 points. The 76ers shot just 39% from the field and a paltry 4-for-23 from deep, struggling to get anything going against one of the Eastern Conference favorites. In San Antonio, Wembanyama was as dominant in his playoff debut as anyone could’ve hoped, leading the Spurs to a comfortable Game 1 win vs. the Trail Blazers. L.A. had its way with Houston without Durant, but can expect a tougher contest on Tuesday.
With two games down, we’ll be locked in for this late matchup between Los Angeles and Houston. Scroll down for a preview of the evening’s slate.
Lakers vs. Rockets Game 2 score, live updates, highlights
Tuesday NBA playoffs schedule, previews and Game 1 recaps
Once again, it is on LeBron James to guide the Lakers against the Rockets with Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves on the mend. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
76ers 111, Celtics 97 (Series tied at 1–1)
Where was this shooting in Game 1, Philadelphia? After hitting just four threes in their series-opening loss, the Sixers went 19-for-39 from deep on Tuesday. The dynamic duo of VJ Edgecomb and Tyrese Maxey combined for 59 points while Paul George chipped in 19. Jaylen Brown had 36, but he was the only Boston player to break 20.
Trail Blazers 106, Spurs 103 (Series tied at 1–1)
The headlines will focus on Wembanyama’s injury and status moving forward, but that shouldn’t take away from an impressive effort by Portland (and San Antonio, without their best player). The Blazers got an incredible game from Scoot Henderson, who picked up the scoring load as Deni Avdija struggled from the field, and strong contributions from Jrue Holiday, Toumani Camara and Robert Williams III, among others.
Lakers vs. Rockets (Game 2)
- Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: NBC/Peacock
Will Kevin Durant be good to go? The 37-year-old future Hall of Famer is Houston’s most important player, and their offense looked nonexistent without him, as he works back from a knee bruise suffered during practice. The Lakers won Game 1 107–98 with Durant on the bench, as Luke Kennard exploded for 27 points and a perfect 5-for-5 from three and LeBron James scored 19 with 13 assists, eight rebounds and a pair of steals. No Rocket scored more than 19 points and the team shot a rough 38% from the field while the Lakers shot 61% and 53% from three.
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