Coin flip results:

Coin flip time! Lakers slotted into the 24th pick and Knicks the 25th pick.

GOOD MORNING/AFTERNOON LAKERS FANS!

On Feb. 5, the Lakers traded Gabe Vincent to Atlanta for Luke Kennard. Playoff points as a Laker: 27 PTS — Luke Kennard (1 playoff game) 21 PTS — Gabe Vincent (10 playoff games) #NBA

Rob Pelinka masterclass move on the margin that ultimately led to a playoffs win.

🎥: youtu.be/pXyMH16Zvsk?... LeBron James discussed the Lakers’ Game 1 win over the Rockets and sharing the court with Bronny in the postseason.

🎥: youtu.be/cOcGiyMqe9I?... JJ Redick discussed the Lakers’ Game 1 win over the Rockets, praising LeBron James, Luke Kennard and others.

LeBron James leads a balanced Lakers attack as they take a 1-0 lead in Round 1 of the NBA Playoffs presented by Google! Luke Kennard: 27 PTS (9-13 FGM, 5-5 3PM) Deandre Ayton: 19 PTS (8-10 FGM), 11 REB Marcus Smart: 15 PTS, 8 AST, 2 BLK Game 2: Tuesday, 10:30pm/et, NBC & Peacock

LAKERS WIN GAME 1! BE BOLD! GIVE US 3 MORE AND WE’RE ONTO THE 2ND ROUND!

Final: LAL 107 - 98 HOU

End of the 3rd quarter: LAL 75 - 66 HOU

Halftime: LAL 50 - 48 HOU

End of the 1st quarter: LAL 33 - 29 HOU

AND WE HAVE LAKERS PLAYOFFS BASKETBALL!

KD being out completely changes the calculus for how long this series goes.

From Shams: “Houston Rockets’ Kevin Durant will miss Game 1 against the Lakers tonight due to a right knee injury.”

Law Murray has Lakers in 7? Wow. Didn’t expect that. Shit, I have Rockets in 5 and I live/breathe purple and gold.

From Tim MacMahon: “Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant is listed as questionable for Saturday’s Game 1 against the Los Angeles Lakers because of a right knee contusion…but the Rockets are optimistic his knee will not be a significant issue during the series.”

Oh? KD knee injury?

Final: Warriors 126 Clippers 121

Wow. Absolute 4th quarter late clock masterpiece from the uncs: Al Horford hitting 4 3s, Steph Curry with the clutch 3 to seal the lead, and Draymond Green with back-to-back steals. Love to see it.

Warriors packing up Clippers at Intuit Dome.

Stephen. Wardell. Curry.

AL HORFORD TAKE A BOW!

Bron is 41. Despite being the oldest player in the NBA, he led the league in fast break points per game. Just madness.

All in all, this schedule is identical to last year’s matchup for Lakers vs. Wolves with respect to the amount of time off between games.

Final: TrailBlazers 114 Suns 110

What a defensive possession! Another solid game down to the wire!

The IDF responds with a clutch bucket of his own. Blazers now up by 2 with 16.1 seconds left in the game. Suns ball.

Jordan Goodwin, Lakers great!

Suns on a 16-0 run. Last bucket by the Blazers was nearly 5 minutes ago.

Oh shit. Turn up, Suns. What a start to the 4th quarter.

I’m exhausted after watching Hornets vs. Heat. I don’t know if I have the stamina to now watch Suns vs. Blazers.

LaMelo Ball joins Josh Giddey as the only players in NBA Play-In Tournament history to record 30+ points, 10+ assists, and 5+ rebounds in a game.

The LaMelo Ball Experience: - Take out opponents best player - 45.8 TS% on 31 field goal attempts (not good) - Makes game winning bucket Shot chart via @pivotfade.com

Final: Heat 126 Hornets 127

Goddamn, if this is how the playoffs are going to be buckle up! Great bucket from LaMelo and then the block on Mitchell, I do think Pele was open if Mitchell was look up at the start of the play.

What an ending! Hornets keep their playoffs aspirations alive with a LeMelo drive for the lead followed by a Bridges block to seal it. Good for the fans. Last time they saw the franchise in the post-season was a DECADE ago.

Heat up by 1 with 8.7 seconds left in overtime. Can the Hornets hit again?

The shot-making in this game is absolutely stupid. Unreal from both teams.

Tyler Herro with 5 points in like 10 seconds.

Tyler Herro, you bad, bad man. Come alive!

Hornets 1st to score in overtime.

And just like that, all the complaints about the NBA product were laid to rest.

This Coby White game is living evidence that hitting on marginal trades is so, so important. They got this guy for two second round picks and he might’ve just kept their season alive.

Overtime. Free basketball.

I don't think you can defend that any better, and SVG said it on the broadcast, shot it right on the catch. What an amazing shot from White.

I LOVE THE PLAY-IN TOURNAMENT!