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

we got lucky they commited some stupid fouls and had 2 or 3 lazy turnovers in transition.

our defense is bad enough, but our offense... good lord, it's a shitshow

 

Will Ime get fired if we lose the series?

 

Rockets better be glad the whistles went their way in the 1st half which allowed them to dominate at the FT line.

Same for having a huge advantage on the offensive glass, but that is expected.

I have no idea how this will go in the 2nd half, but I'll say this: If the Lakers continue to outshoot them by nearly 30%, Rockets ain't gonna win.

It really irks me the Lakers seemed much better prepared and purposeful to start the game. JJ Redick coached circles around Ime.

EDIT: Jaxson Hayes needs a brain transplant. He is one of the dumbest players in the league.

 

Reed on the first unit isn’t it, team defense is horrible.

 

There are too many balancing acts for NBA halftimes.

They just don't hit if there isn't a really tall unicycle and some plates involved

 

Lakers shooting 65% Rockets shooting 37% and we’re only down two… I’ll take it

 

did you see (everyone) one defense?

I find it so strange people fixate on one person

we were ass as a team

 

Sengun’s screen and roll defense atrocious. Tari made some bad plays on defense as well not switching not talking

 

he does not

hell he doesn't play well against any centers who play above the rim

 

Barkley swallowing Lebron d

 

People say Kerr is terrible because he advocates for his players but man it's far past time Ime goes on a rant about this. Rockets should be sending tapes to the league about all these no calls to get it in the refs heads he's getting contact on almost every other drive.

You can't breathe on guys like Luka or SGA or Deni but Amen gets contact all the time and is lucky to shoot 4 Free throws a game and all he does his drive since he can't even shoot. Amen should be living at the line with how physical and aggressive he plays.

 

Getting into bonus early in the quarter helps. Thank you Jaxson Hayes.

 

Ime needs to play Reed and Holiday together. Stop the defense lineups.

 

8 minutes to go in the 2nd qtr and you had them 1 foul away from being in the penalty. No one took it upon themselves to drive, drive, drive until there was 1 minute left. Then again L.A has been hitting Amen on his drives, no calls.

 

Lakers aren’t shooting 65 percent again in any half of this series

 

No moral victories.

Im sorry you can’t lose (this game or series) to

Rui Hachimura
Deandre Ayton
Marcus Smart
Luke Kennard
Jake LaRavia
Jarred Vanderbilt
Jaxson Hayes
Bronny James

 

Halftime show about LeBra's assists, how about great comeback/fight by KD-less Rockets?

 

All of our players get scored on yet Reed gets the focus.

 

Shaq - this does not feel like a playoff game.