Los Angeles Lakers

If one of two of the most-storied franchises could somehow win the title, it would be a bigger win for a few bettors. Patrick Everson explains.

With the Los Angeles Lakers set to face off against the Oklahoma City Thunder in their Western Conference Semifinal series of the NBA playoffs, all eyes will be watching to see if the Lakers can pull off the upset, or if the Thunder continue their dominance. Ahead of Tuesday’s Game 1, we’ll be making our […] The post 3 Lakers bold predictions for unthinkable upset of Thunder in 2026 NBA playoffs appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Ahead of Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinals series against the Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams headlined the defending champion’s injury report on Monday. After Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault provided an encouraging injury update on Williams’ left hamstring injury at practice over the weekend, Oklahoma City made its official […] The post Thunder make official Jalen Williams announcement for Game 1 appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Rich Paul believes there are similarities to how the treatment looks between Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic. The 2026 NBA playoffs is having the second round go underway following the opening stage’s results. James and the Lakers advanced after beating the Houston Rockets in six games, while Jokic […] The post Rich Paul unloads on Lakers star LeBron James treatment compared to Nikola Jokic appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Happy Monday everyone. The second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs begin tonight. First, the Detroit Pistons play the Cleveland Cavaliers at 7 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN. Then the Oklahoma City Thunder play the Los Angeles Lakers at 8:30 p.m. ET on NBC (WRC-TV) and Peacock. Enjoy the basketball and cue the John […]

Dončić's availability moving forward against the Thunder remains unclear beyond Game 1. But being ruled out a day ahead of time is generally not a good sign of a quick return.

Coming into their Western Conference Semifinal series against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Thunder seemingly have no shortage of strong defensive players, including Cason Wallace. But on the Lakers’ side, Marcus Smart has long been one of the premier perimeter defenders in the NBA. Marcus Smart is still causing havoc defensively, and the Lakers’ veteran […] The post Cason Wallace makes Marcus Smart admission before Lakers series appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Luka Doncic is expected to miss the start of Lakers vs Thunder, while Jalen Williams could return. Here’s how injuries may decide the Western Conference Semifinals.

The Los Angeles Lakers are currently gearing up for Game 1 of their series vs the Oklahoma City Thunder, which is set to get underway on Tuesday evening. While the Lakers will be without Luka Doncic for at least the opening chunk of this series, they did look impressive in dispatching the Houston Rockets in […] The post JJ Redick makes ‘God awful’ admission on Lakers’ previous OKC matchups appeared first on ClutchPoints.

With the Oklahoma City Thunder facing the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round of the NBA Playoffs, there’s no denying that the atmosphere in each arena will be electric. As some could predict for the Thunder to destroy the Lakers in the playoffs, each team is not taking each other lightly, especially Los Angeles, […] The post Lakers’ Deandre Ayton gets real on Thunder’s playoff atmosphere appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton came up big to close out the first-round series against the Houston Rockets, and now he knows the team will need more of the same from him if they want to have a chance against the Oklahoma City Thunder. “Doing the exact same thing, but really staying poised,” Ayton […]

The Los Angeles Lakers are set to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the playoffs, and they’re still trying to figure out if Luka Doncic will be available for the matchup. Doncic has been out for the past month after suffering a hamstring strain toward the end of the season. The […] The post Is Lakers’ Luka Doncic nearing a return? Watch him go through light shooting practice appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reminded reporters of how Hall of Fame guard Steve Nash had a profound influence on him growing up. Ahead of Gilgeous-Alexander facing LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers in the Thunder’s second-round series, he reflected on what Nash told him back when he was in high school. Gilgeous-Alexander […] The post How Steve Nash helped Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander build confidence before NBA career appeared first on ClutchPoints.

With Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves sidelined, Kennard and Smart have stepped up for the Lakers.

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Lakers have a daunting task ahead of them in the Western Conference Semifinals, having to go through the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder to advance in the playoffs. Everyone knows who the Thunder are. They are elite on both ends of the floor and extremely difficult to beat. But […] The post The player who raises Lakers’ ceiling the most, and it’s not LeBron James or Luka Doncic appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart has defended every superstar in the league over the years, but it appears one stands above the rest when it comes to how challenging it is. Ahead of the Lakers’ second-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Smart praised reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the toughest player to defend. […]

Ahead of their Western Conference semifinals series, Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander revealed why he isn’t taking future Hall of Fame forward LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers lightly. While playing without Luka Doncic to start the series isn’t ideal against the defending champion, a James-led Lakers squad is still a legitimate threat […] The post Why Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won’t take LeBron James, Lakers lightly in 2nd round appeared first on ClutchPoi...

Despite a turbulent playoff run, the Houston Rockets remain firm believers in guard Reed Sheppard's long-term potential, with internal sources comparing his ceiling to Hall of Fame point guard Steve Nash, sources tell ESPN Sheppard, selected third overall in the 2024 draft, struggled with consistency throughout Houston's first-round loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. He shot 16-for-64 in the Rockets' four defeats but 11-for-24 in their two wins, a split that illustrated both his promise and his ...

Here's everything you need to know about the second-round matchup between the Lakers and Thunder.

As the Los Angeles Lakers get ready to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder, head coach JJ Redick is already planting some seeds with the officials. The narrative surrounding the Thunder the last couple of years is that they are allowed to play more physically than other teams without getting called for fouls. Whether he […]