ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Lakers 4/18/2026 (Playoffs Round 1, Game 1)

That's because we don't have a dominant offensive player without KD. Therefore the offense has to become more democratized. We've been running this 'sometimes you, sometimes me, always us' offense for three years because of the talent on the roster.

 

• Ridiculous, Redickulous. Bricks after bricks.
• What a game, LAL shot 26 FTs, Rockets shot 25 FTs.......it is as close as you can get, ugly ugly loss.
• Playoffs have officially Begun.

 

they’re not just a bunch of journeyman. A lot of those guys have conference finals and finals experience. They’re vets playing from 7-12 years. Lebron is a 4x champion and future hall of famer who still can play at a high level. They’re not slouches or to be taken lightly

 

the same would likely happen to OKC without SGA. They’re were 8-6 this year. Likely won’t win a playoff series without him. That one key node is so vital to these teams. Difference is OKC is loaded with great role players.

 

Just came back from the game and it was literally the most pathetic attempt I've seen from this Rockets team all year. The only thing they had going was offensive boards and keeping their TOs down a bit. Otherwise, they let the Lakers hit open shot all night and couldn't hit a layup themselves. Sengun was flopping all up and down the court constantly like he was in a funhouse, and Tari should NEVER be on the court when the other team is in the bonus because he'll foul like crazy.

I said earlier in the year that we aren't getting out of the first round (no matter who we faced) but we may get swept if this horrid play continues. I'm sad to call myself a fan right now.

 

Ime does not deserve to be in the Playoffs with Game 1 Offensive performances like that when you cannot score 100 points.

They don't have Chauncey who is in prison. The epitome of the Pistons that cannot score over 100.

What an embarrassment. They can hire 2 Coaches, one for the Season, one for the Playoffs.

 

I didn't bother to watch the game but I'm sure our fouls were nonshooting in the first half and theirs were shooting fouls in the second half. Refs know how to rig it.

 

I still have them at Game 6 or a Game 7......going to be ugly.

 

The NBA is so damn rigged. This Durant ish is so sus. Seriously, the NBA isn't even worth watching anymore.

 

Extremely disappointing but unfortunately not shocking. We just plain aren’t that good. The young core is really not that good. The coaching is not that good. The roster construction is not that good, the player development is not that good…because the front office is not that good. I don’t think this is very complicated. We don’t have a true franchise player. And we don’t have a 1st round pick in this generational draft. At some point I hope for some accountability. We deserve better than this.

 

They have KD to cover up all their flaws...

 

roosh has been ultra annoying all year.

 

I don’t understand the blame on management. Really don’t. We got unlucky in our drafts. Stone wanted Cade. Then We drafted Jabari because he was highly touted as a 2 way player. Who else was there in that draft that would have changed the trajectory of this franchise? Perhaps Jalen Williams? I don’t blame Stone for that. Then the NBA rigged the Wemby draft. Then we got Amen then we got Sheppard.

As for the 2026 draft Morey made that deal. Besides how would they have known this was a “generational” draft class in 2019?

The 2 things I do criticize Stone is for not having vets guide this young team in those Wood KPJ years. I think this stunted their growth. They also wanted to trade JG since 2024 but had no contingency. Why draft Sheppard and not Castle when they have a hole at 2 guard with a JG trade?

 

Again where is player accountability? Amen and Sengun didn’t step up and dominate. Sheppard went 5-14 in 3 and 4 TO’s. These are supposedly the top 3 without Durant. It’s pathetic. Not good enough plain and simple. The pieces don’t match. What would a different coach do with Sengun or Thompson who both can’t shoot? You think Udoka and his staff don’t tell Sheppard to not hold the ball for 4 seconds then jack up a 3 without even looking to work the halfcourt set? I don’t understand why fans just can’t admit the players simply aren’t good enough

 

There were also no calls all night on blatant fouls. Those things add up and fouls like a bump here, a grab there etc prevent plays and scoring from happening.

 

Roosh is part of the problem wanted to trade and give up on green and shock we have no good young talent.