NBA: Short-handed Lakers show grit in leading series vs. Rockets

Beyond LeBron James' individual brilliance and extensive postseason history of elevating teams to new heights, perhaps the most overlooked characteristic of the Los Angeles Lakers this season has been their collective ability to overcome adversity. Despite the challenges of missing key players for a significant portion of the regular season, the Lakers have continued to prove their resilience.

Even with James, Luka Dončić, and Austin Reaves missing a combined 71 games, the Lakers fought their way to the fourth seed in the Western Conference. Los Angeles, historically known for its glitz and glamour, has often been viewed more for its star power than its grit. But this year's team is rewriting that narrative with their tough and determined play, especially in the playoffs.

With the Lakers taking a 2-0 first-round series lead over the Houston Rockets—despite the absence of Dončić and Reaves due to injuries—it's clear that the Lakers' tenacity is a driving force behind their success. As the series now shifts to Houston for Game 3, the Lakers' grit has become a defining feature that cannot be overlooked.

"Our regular season isn't about punishment; it's about building resilience," said Lakers head coach JJ Redick. "I think our group has been incredibly resilient overall. That’s why we have the confidence, belief, and competitive spirit to be on this stage, going up against a great team like Houston."

However, the "great" version of the Houston Rockets that Redick referred to has yet to materialize. Despite being considered favorites at the start of the series, the Rockets stumbled in the opener, especially with their leading scorer, Kevin Durant, sidelined due to a knee injury.

When Durant returned for Game 2, the outcome didn’t change much. The Lakers once again found offensive production from Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart, while their defense stifled the Rockets' attempts to find rhythm. Even with Durant back, Houston's offense struggled, particularly from beyond the arc.

While the Rockets pride themselves on their defense, their offensive struggles are a major issue in this series. Coach Ime Udoka acknowledged the problem, noting that spacing and shot selection have been inconsistent.

"They're daring us to prove it, no matter how good our spacing is," Udoka said. "Sometimes we're in the right spots, but we're either not making the shots or taking the wrong ones. They're going to keep daring us until we prove we can handle it."

Durant’s struggles were evident in Game 2, as he committed nine turnovers and scored just three of his 23 points in the second half. Alperen Şengün, the Rockets’ second-leading scorer during the regular season, is also shooting just 38.5% from the field in the series. If Houston can't find a way to unlock their key players, the series may end quickly.

"We need to take advantage when they're doubling Durant," Şengün said. "We’ll figure it out."

As the Lakers edge closer to taking control of the series, they are confident in their ability to rely on more than just LeBron James. The experienced players around him have stepped up at critical moments, and the expectation is that they will continue to lead the way.

“It’s been talked about how we rely on LeBron’s otherworldly experience, and we’ve had to do that,” Redick said. “But we also have four guys who’ve played in the Finals. The experience that Smart, DA (Deandre Ayton), and Maxi (Kleber) bring isn’t new. They've been in big moments before.”

Kennard, who was acquired in a trade with Atlanta on February 5, has stepped up as a primary scorer for the Lakers, leading the team with a 25.0 scoring average through the first two games of the series. James follows closely at 23.5, with Smart contributing 20.0 points per game.

As the series continues, the Lakers' resilience will be key as they look to finish what they’ve started and advance further in the playoffs.

— Field Level Media/Reuters