Lakers’ NBA playoff schedule against the Rockets announced

April 15, 2026

The Lakers received some exciting news late Tuesday night.

Following a thrilling win by Portland over the Suns in the NBA Play-In Tournament, the NBA released the complete schedule for the playoffs, and it’s certainly cause for celebration among Lakers fans.

It’s surprisingly compelling—well, maybe not if you’ve been following the media coverage—this Lakers-Rockets first-round matchup is shaping up to be one of the most captivating in the early rounds.

Word is, Game 1 is slated for Saturday, April 18th. But honestly, the more crucial details lie in the rest of the schedule.

Game 2 will take place in Los Angeles on Tuesday, April 21st. After that, the series heads to Houston for Games 3 and 4, which are set for April 24th and April 26th. This actually gives the Lakers a rare two-day break between Games 1 and 2, and then again between Games 2 and 3—almost unheard of for NBA playoffs.

Yet, that’s not the most astonishing part.

If the series makes its way back to Los Angeles for Game 5, that would be on Wednesday, April 29, a notable 11 days after the first game.

Games 6 and 7 are lined up for May 1st and May 3rd, respectively.

This is significant as the Lakers approach the playoffs, especially since they’ve faced quite a bit of adversity this season.

Both Luka Doncic and Austin Reeves, unfortunately, suffered injuries that cut their regular seasons short during a game against the Thunder on April 2.

When coach JJ Reddick was asked about their statuses for Game 1 during a press conference, his response was candid.

“They’re out indefinitely,” he stated. “We won’t have any updates this week; it’s going to remain open-ended for the moment.”

Doncic had been having an MVP-caliber season before his injury, leading the league in scoring, assisting, and even ranking highly in steals.

Reeves didn’t attract as much attention as Doncic or LeBron James, but he made a noticeable difference for the team. The Lakers boasted an impressive record of 15-2 in March when he was active.

On Tuesday, Reeves was spotted at the Lakers’ practice facility, taking some shots during an open media practice. He still wore his slides but was involved in a post-practice free-throw contest, humorously missing three shots, earning chuckles from his teammates. He did manage to sink a corner 3-pointer before exiting.

Recovery timelines for both players suggest they might take four to six weeks to fully heal.

Interestingly, Doncic is looking to expedite his recovery and is heading to Spain for specialized treatment, returning stateside on Friday. Meanwhile, Reeves’ focus is primarily on managing pain.

Given the first-round schedule, there’s a chance both could be back for Game 5, just four weeks after their injuries.

If you’re in Los Angeles, even a glimmer of hope feels worth celebrating.