Lakers’ Marcus Smart gets 100% real about facing Kevin Durant in the playoffs

The Los Angeles Lakers enter the 2026 NBA playoffs after finishing the regular season 53-29, securing the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference with a 131-107 win over the Utah Jazz on Sunday night. That result locked in a first-round matchup against the Houston Rockets.

Although the Lakers won the season series 2-1 against the Rockets, they face a different challenge in the postseason, particularly with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves out indefinitely. Given how important Doncic was in both wins over Houston, the impact of his absence is hard to ignore for Los Angeles.

Veteran guard Marcus Smart acknowledged the challenge ahead, particularly when it comes to defending Houston star forward Kevin Durant.

When asked to comment on what it’s like to face Durant in the postseason, Smart offered a blunt answer:

“Brutal. It’s brutal, man. It’s brutal. I mean, dude is one of the greatest to play this game, and he moves like a guard with a big man’s body,” he said. “It’s hard, it’s definitely tough, man. He’s going to make it hard for us, and we have to make it hard for him too.”

Q: What’s it like facing KD in the playoffs?
Marcus Smart: “Brutal. It’s brutal, man. It’s brutal. I mean, dude is one of the greatest to play this game and he moves like a guard with a big man's body …” pic.twitter.com/QCuqWMbc9R

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 13, 2026

Historically, Smart has had moderate team success against Durant. In 21 career matchups, Smart holds an 11-10 overall lead and a 5-4 advantage in playoff games. However, Durant has consistently produced at an elite level individually, averaging 26.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 4.9 assists in those meetings.

Durant remains a central threat even at age 37, averaging 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists this season. His postseason production is even stronger, with career playoff averages of 29.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists.

In Doncic and Reaves’ absence, Smart and Luke Kennard are expected to take on expanded roles. Smart averaged 9.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.9 assists during the regular season and will be relied upon for increased offensive output alongside his defensive presence.

Game 1 takes place on Saturday, April 18, with the Lakers entering the series as underdogs against a Rockets team that closed the season strongly and thrives in slower, physical contests.

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