US EditionCan Lakers Beat the Thunder?
The defending champions swept Phoenix in the first round, while Los Angeles is still waiting on Luka Dončić’s return and faces a 29.3-point average deficit from the season series.
- On Tuesday, May 5, the Los Angeles Lakers begin their Western Conference semifinal series against the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in Oklahoma City, following their first-round victory over the Houston Rockets.
- Lakers star LeBron James enters his 299th career playoff game, a league record, while the Thunder finished the regular season 64-18 and feature MVP favorite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
- According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Lakers guard Luka Doncic remains sidelined with a Grade 2 hamstring strain with "no clarity on a timeline" for his return.
- In the other Western Conference semifinal, the San Antonio Spurs face the Minnesota Timberwolves starting Monday after Minnesota rallied past Denver despite injuries to Donte DiVincenzo and Anthony Edwards.
- Experts and bettors largely favor Oklahoma City to advance given their title defense, though the Lakers aim to build on momentum from their first-round upset over Houston.
30 Articles
30 Articles
WJFW NewsWatch 12
NBA conference semis: Thunder-Lakers, Spurs-Wolves, Knicks-76ers, Pistons-Cavaliers
The NBA's conference semifinal round starts Monday. In the West, it's Minnesota vs. San Antonio and the Los Angeles Lakers vs. defending champion Oklahoma City. In the East, it's Philadelphia vs. New York and Cleveland vs. Detroit.
Lakers Could Reignite Interest in $94.5M Forward to Boost Perimeter Shooting
The Los Angeles Lakers are preparing for a second-round playoff clash against defending champions the Oklahoma City Thunder.After advancing past the Houston Rockets in the first round, much of the attention has remained on Luka Doncic and the possibility of his return.At the same time, there is a growing sense that focus is beginning to shift toward what could be a pivotal offseason for the franchise.Unlike at the trade deadline, the Lakers are …
Winnipeg Free Press
NBA conference semis: Thunder-Lakers, Spurs-Wolves, Knicks-76ers
Breaking News, Sports, Manitoba, Canada
The Times of Northwest Indiana
Tulsa WorldCan Lakers beat the Thunder?
NBA
The Western Conference semifinals start Tuesday when the Oklahoma City Thunder of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will receive LeBron James' Los Angeles Lakers in the second round of the NBA 2026 playoffs.
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