Thunder Open Series After Sweeping Knicks 76ers-Style Dominance Over Lakers
The knicks 76ers label does not fit this story, but the Thunder do. Oklahoma City opens a Western Conference semifinals series against the Lakers on Tuesday, and the top seed in the West has already beaten Los Angeles four times this season by an average of 29 points.
Thunder, Lakers in Oklahoma City
That margin leaves little mystery about the task in front of the Lakers. The Thunder have owned the matchup in the regular season, and they now get the series in Oklahoma City after winning the NBA title last season and earning the top seed in the West three straight years.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put the focus on the opponent when asked about facing LeBron James. “Playing against an all-time great like that, you get up for those those games, regardless of when they are,” he said.
LeBron James and Luka Doncic
James remains the league's all-time scoring leader, and he helped Los Angeles clinch its series against Houston with 28 points, seven rebounds and eight assists in Game 6. Austin Reaves came away impressed afterward, saying, “I just went over to him and was like, you’re insane,” and adding, “Like, the stuff that you’re doing isn’t, it’s... it’s not normal, especially age whatever. He’s been in the league for 23 years. The way he demands a game, the way he can control a game — it’s impressive.”
Luka Doncic is the other major variable. He injured his left hamstring in Oklahoma City about a month ago and has not played since, though he shot 3-pointers with teammates Monday before the Lakers flew to Oklahoma City. In the regular season, he averaged 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists.
Marcus Smart on Shai
Marcus Smart did not soften the challenge of defending Gilgeous-Alexander, calling him the “No. 1 defensive challenge in the NBA right now.” Smart added, “It’s going to be a challenge for not just me, but everybody on this team to stay out of foul trouble, keep him off the line as much as possible, and then just continue to shut him down.”
JJ Redick drew the opposite conclusion from the Thunder's season-long run, saying, “It’s one of the greatest teams ever in NBA history,” and, “That’s the reality. They are. They’re that good. I think our guys recognize that and respect that, and we know what kind of task we have in front of us.” The matchup is the third postseason meeting between these teams; in 2010, the Thunder pushed the defending champion Lakers to six games in the first round.
Chet Holmgren kept the focus on the series itself: “But at the end of the day, whether they’re wearing purple or pink out there, it’s not going to affect how we need to play and approach it.” For Oklahoma City, Tuesday is the start of a chance to turn a lopsided regular season into a deeper playoff statement against one of the league's most visible franchises and its 17 championships.
