Updated April 15, 2026, 4:54 p.m. CT
On Wednesday, the NBA announced the full schedule for the Houston Rockets’ upcoming best-of-seven playoff series versus the Los Angeles Lakers. The matchup features a pair of All-Star forwards and future Hall of Famers in Kevin Durant and LeBron James.
The Lakers (53-29) and Rockets (52-30) finished as the No. 4 and No. 5 seeds, respectively, in the 2026 Western Conference standings. Thus, they are meeting in the first round as part of the eight-team playoff bracket.
The first two games will tip off in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 18, at 7:30 p.m. Central and on Tuesday, April 21, at 9:30 p.m. Central. The Rockets will then return home for Game 3 and Game 4 on Friday, April 24 at 7:00 p.m. Central and on Sunday, April 26, at 8:30 p.m. Central.
All games will be broadcast on national television, with the network varying by game.
All playoff games will also air on the team’s AM radio broadcast home, SportsTalk 790 KBME and NewsRadio 740 KTRH. Radio broadcasts are available in Spanish on KLTN 102.9 HD2.
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Space City Home Network (SCHN) will host postgame shows throughout the playoffs, featuring Craig Ackerman and Ryan Hollins in studio and Vanessa Richardson on-site for player reactions.
The complete first-round schedule is below. Times and broadcast information for Game 5 and beyond will be provided from the league, if necessary.
GameDateLocationTime (Central)TV1Saturday, April 18Los Angeles7:30 p.m.ABC2Tuesday, April 21Los Angeles9:30 p.m.NBC3Friday, April 24Houston7 p.m.Prime4Sunday, April 26Houston8:30 p.m.NBC5*Wednesday, April 29Los AngelesTBDTBD6*Friday, May 1HoustonTBDTBD7*Sunday, May 3Los AngelesTBDTBDMore: Rockets (52-30) finish season with win, draw Lakers as playoff opponent