Lakers beat the Houston Rockets<\/a> 101-94<\/a> in Game 2, taking a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series and continuing a historic run that has never been done in league postseason history.<\/p>\n The key fact is simple but huge: in NBA history, only twice has a team won a playoff game while missing two players who each averaged at least 20 points per game and hit 100+ threes in the regular season. Both of those wins belong to this year’s Lakers, per OptaSTATS<\/a>.<\/p>\n Los Angeles is doing it without Luka Doncic<\/a> and Austin Reaves<\/a>, two major scoring and playmaking pieces.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Doncic had a dominant regular season, putting up 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game while shooting 47.6 percent from the field and 36.6 percent from three.<\/p>\n Reaves also played a big role, averaging 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists in 51 games, shooting 49.0 percent from the field and 36.0 percent from deep.<\/p>\n Even without them, the Lakers found a way again in Game 2. LeBron James<\/a> led the way with 28 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, while Marcus Smart<\/a> added 25 points and Luke Kennard<\/a> scored 23.<\/p>\n There is still hope for some reinforcements. Reaves has started light 1-on-1 work and could return later in the series, while Doncic is expected to miss the entire opening round.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Support BasketNews so we could make even better content.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n If you like our content, please click here<\/a> and add us as your preferred source. It helps us a lot, and we are committed to delivering you the very latest basketball news.<\/p>\n ![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/bn-plus.png\")
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