The Los Angeles Lakers have started the NBA playoff phase with a victory, leaving behind concerns about the team's absences.
The 18-time champion team managed to triumph 107-98 over the Houston Rockets, despite the absence of several key players such as Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Maxi Kleber.
The spotlight was on veteran LeBron James, who at 41 continues to show class. He led the team with 19 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds, controlling the pace of the game against an opponent that suffered a major blow before the game with the injury to Kevin Durant.
After the game, Lakers coach JJ Redick emphasized the team's mentality in moments like these. "It's just our playoff mentality. You can't worry about who's missing or who's in the lineup. It's our game plan and our standards that matter," he said.
Luke Kennard also had a great performance, scoring 27 points - his personal playoff record - helping the Lakers take the lead in the best-of-seven series.
Meanwhile, Durant, 37, is suffering from a knee bruise and is expected to return for the second game on Tuesday.
In other games on the first day, the Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks also scored victories, while the Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic secured participation in the playoffs through the "play-in" tournament.
The defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, will begin their adventure on Sunday night against the Suns.
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