The Los Angeles Lakers face a daunting task as they prepare to battle the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Semifinals. The Athletic provides live coverage of Lakers vs. Thunder in the 2026 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Semifinals.
Thunder’s Regular Season Dominance
The Thunder have had the Lakers’ number, defeating them five straight times. This includes a clean sweep of their four regular-season match-ups this year. The reigning champion Thunder finished the regular season with a league-best 64-18 record. The Lakers, meanwhile, handled the Rockets in six games, but not without cracks. The Thunder’s dominance was on full display in those regular-season games, with three of the Lakers’ five losses by at least 25 points coming against Oklahoma City.
Lakers’ Offensive Strategy
The Lakers had the eighth-best offence in the NBA after the All-Star break. The Thunder, however, boasted the league’s best defence all season. The Lakers’ offensive success hinges on their performance from beyond the arc. Oklahoma City’s defence allows 3-point attempts, presenting an opportunity for the Lakers, who are accurate from deep when they get the chance.
Key Players and Matchups
The Lakers need Austin Reaves to be a key factor. They need him to be a factor with foul-drawing abilities, and they need James to be decisive as a driver as well while Luka Dončić is out. As long as Dončić is out, a key shooter in this series for the Lakers will be Rui Hachimura, especially from the midrange. Luke Kennard has been something of a revelation; how his aggression changes with Reaves back is something to watch. How the Thunder choose to use primary perimeter defender Luguentz Dort will be interesting, as Dort would usually be assigned to Dončić.
Thunder’s Impenetrable Interior
The Thunder possess a formidable interior defence. Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein provide excellent rim protection. This, combined with the Lakers’ reluctance to crash the offensive glass, presents a significant challenge for Los Angeles.
Shots will be available to the Lakers; the only question offensively is whether they can make enough of them.