{"id":190710,"date":"2026-04-19T11:11:53","date_gmt":"2026-04-19T15:11:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=190710"},"modified":"2026-04-19T11:11:53","modified_gmt":"2026-04-19T15:11:53","slug":"amen-thompson-on-how-rockets-can-turn-lakers-series-around","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/04\/19\/amen-thompson-on-how-rockets-can-turn-lakers-series-around\/","title":{"rendered":"Amen Thompson On How Rockets Can Turn Lakers Series Around"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Saturday night, the Houston Rockets lost their opening playoff game against the Los Angeles Lakers, 107-98<\/a>. Kevin Durant<\/a>, Luka Doncic<\/a>, Fred VanVleet<\/a>, Austin Reaves<\/a>, and Steven Adams<\/a> were all out with injuries. In the NBA playoff series equivalent of racing hospital beds, one Rockets player has ideas on how to snag victories. To win a race, you’ve got to go faster.<\/p>\n

Amen Thompson Thinks He Knows How Rockets Beat Lakers<\/h2>\n

The main story for Houston was the late scratch of Durant<\/a>, who missed the game after sustaining a knee contusion during practice. If Durant did wind up missing the series, it would be a fitting conclusion to a Houston season, hobbled by injury before it even began. The uncertainty over Durant’s return obviously complicates Houston’s strategic process. The strategy of “hope KD bails them out” isn’t one they should rely on, though.<\/p>\n

But it is the waterlogged offensive end on which Houston needs some serious bailing. Giving up 27 to Luka — sorry, Luke Kennard<\/a> — certainly wasn’t ideal, but the Rockets shot just 37.6% from the field. The Rockets\u2019 highest scorer shot under 33%. Despite his customary flair, Alperen Sengun<\/a> went 6-of-19 for 19 points. Reed Sheppard<\/a> tied as the Rockets\u2019 second-highest scorer and went 6-of-20 for 17 points. Tied at 17, Amen Thompson<\/a> didn\u2019t shoot much better, going 7-of-18 from the field.<\/p>\n