Here’s how to watch Rockets vs. Lakers for free in NBA Playoffs Round 1

Two NBA icons are at the center of the final first-round playoff series to tip off today.

Lebron James and the No. 4 Los Angeles Lakers and Kevin Durant’s No. 5 Houston Rockets will meet in the best-of-seven first round series, but both teams will be without a few key pieces.

Both Luka Dončić (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) remain out for the Lakers after sustaining injuries in the same loss against Oklahoma City on April 2. Though it’s possible either could return at some point during the series, they have both been ruled out for tonight’s Game 1.

Durant is listed as a game-time decision for the Rockets tonight after appearing on the injury report with a right knee contusion.

In the regular season, Los Angeles won two of three meetings with Houston, most recently in March.

Game 2 of the Rockets-Lakers playoff series is set for Monday, April 20.

Rockets vs. Lakers start time:

Game 1 of the Hawks vs. Knicks playoff series tips off tonight (April 18) at 5:30 p.m. PT / 8:30 p.m. ET tonight, April 18.

How to watch Rockets vs. Lakers for free:

If you don’t have cable, you’ll need a live TV streaming service to stream the Lakers game for free.

DIRECTV is our top pick for watching basketball live for free — its five-day free trial includes ABC (plus almost every other channel you’ll need for the NBA playoffs). When the trial is over, you’ll pay as low as $49.99/month and gain access to over 90 live channels.

Sling TV is another affordable way to stream NBA games; its Select plan includes ABC and starts at $19.99/month.

Rockets-Lakers first round playoff schedule

• Game 1: April 18, 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
• Game 2: April 21, 10:30 p.m. ET (NBC)
• Game 3: April 24, 8 p.m. ET (Prime Video)
• Game 4: April 26, 9:30 p.m. ET (NBC)
• Game 5: April 29*
• Game 6: May 1*
• Game 7: May 3*

* if necessary

NBA Playoffs key dates:

• April 18: NBA Playoffs First Round begins
• June 3: Game 1 of the NBA Finals

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This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping, Page Six, and Decider.com. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on every streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. When she’s not writing about (or watching) TV, movies, and sports, she’s also keeping up on the underrated perfume dupes at Bath & Body Works and testing headphones. Prior to joining Decider and The New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews.