MEXICO CITY (AP) — Tropical Storm Barbara was strengthening off Mexico's Pacific coast and could become a hurricane Monday, forecasters said.
Barbara was centered about 235 miles (375 kilometers) west-southwest of the touristic port of Zihuatanejo in Guerrero state late Sunday, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami. It had maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 kph) and was moving west-northwest at 10 mph (17 kph).
The storm was forecast to remain at sea, though heavy rainfall may cause localized flooding and mudslides on Mexico's western coast. Around 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimeters) of rain are possible across portions of Guerrero, Michoacan, Colima, and Jalisco states through Monday.
Swells affecting portions of the southwestern Mexico coast for the next few days could produce life-threatening surf and rip current conditions, the hurricane center said.
Another tropical storm, Cosme, formed southwest of Barbara's position and was posing no threat to land.
Cosme had 45 mph (75 kph) maximum sustained winds late Sunday and may be near hurricane strength Monday, U.S. forecasters said. It was blowing to the northwest at 9 mph (15 kph) and was centered about 650 miles (1,045 kilometers) south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.
In this satellite image released by NOAA, Tropical Storm Barbara forms off the southwest coast of Mexico. (NOAA via AP)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Luke Kennard scored a career playoff-high 27 points, LeBron James had 19 points and 13 assists, and the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers capitalized on Kevin Durant's injury absence for a 107-98 victory over the Houston Rockets in the opener of their first-round playoff series on Saturday night.
Deandre Ayton had 19 points and 11 rebounds for the fourth-seeded Lakers, who pulled off an impressive win without their top two scorers.
Both teams played the opener without their most important player. Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves have been out indefinitely with injuries since April 2, while Durant was a late scratch with a bruised right knee.
Los Angeles thrived by hitting 60.6% of its shots while holding the Rockets to 37.6% shooting with pesky defense.
Alperen Sengun scored 19 points and Jabari Smith Jr. had 16 points and 12 rebounds for the fifth-seeded Rockets, who finished one game behind Los Angeles in the regular season. Amen Thompson added 17 points, but Houston's young core got off to an inconsistent start after becoming the firm favorite in this series due to the Lakers' injury woes.
Game 2 is Tuesday night in Los Angeles.
The Lakers acquired Kennard from Atlanta in early February, and the NBA’s most accurate 3-point shooter became a key reserve before he seized a major role over the past two weeks in the absence of Los Angeles’ starting backcourt. He hit four 3-pointers in Game 1 while making nine of his first 12 shots.
Durant must wait at least one more game to make his Rockets playoff debut after banging knees with a teammate in practice Wednesday. Reed Sheppard took his spot in the starting lineup and hit five 3-pointers while scoring 17 points, but the Rockets struggled for consistent half-court offense in Durant’s absence despite grabbing 21 offensive rebounds.
The Lakers took the lead for good on their first bucket of the second half, and they pushed their advantage to 16 points in the fourth quarter. Kennard scored 16 points after halftime, while The 41-year-old James began his 19th NBA postseason with an inspired, eight-assist first quarter followed by several gritty baskets down the stretch.
Los Angeles also got a boost from veteran guard Marcus Smart, who had 15 points and eight assists with four 3-pointers in his Lakers playoff debut. Smart said before the series that success would come down to “willpower” — and the Lakers clearly had more for starters.
Bronny James began the second quarter playing alongside his famous father in the first significant playoff minutes of the 21-year-old's career.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, right, talks to his son guard Bronny James during the first half in Game 1 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Houston Rockets, Saturday, April 18, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, slaps hands with guard Bronny James during the first half in Game 1 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Houston Rockets, Saturday, April 18, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr., left, shoots as Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart defends during the first half in Game 1 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Saturday, April 18, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
