Home
The Los Angeles Lakers have clinched home-court advantage for the first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs. With a 52-29 record entering the final game of the regular season, JJ Redick’s side has locked in the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference, setting up a first-round matchup against the fifth-seeded Houston Rockets.
Lakers secure first-round home-court advantage for 2026 NBA Playoffs
The announcement comes after a strong late-season push featuring stars LeBron James and Luka Doncic, blending veteran leadership with high-level talent. Home-court advantage at Crypto.com Arena could prove vital, especially as the Lakers navigate injuries to key players like the Slovenian (recent hamstring issue) and Austin Reaves, both out of the entire regular NBA season.
This marks a significant achievement for the Lakers, who avoided the play-in tournament and positioned themselves for a deeper postseason run. James, in his 23rd season, and Doncic, in his first full year with the franchise after arriving in 2025, have powered the team’s resurgence. With this advancement, the challenges remain against a Rockets squad that pushed them in the regular season. The playoffs begin April 18, with Game 1 in Los Angeles.
ALSO READ: Three NBA teams contend for one automatic playoff spot; Here is how each can clinch
ADVERTISEMENT
