The Oklahoma City Thunder can take one step closer to clinching the #1 spot in the Western Conference on Tuesday night as they take on the Los Angeles Lakers in the first game of a back-to-back in LA. The Thunder dominated the Lakers in OKC just a few days ago, and matters have only gotten worse for LA ever since.
Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are both out indefinitely for the Lakers, likely to miss the remainder of the regular season and at least some portion of the playoffs. Without them, LeBron James has been thrust into his familiar role of trying to do everything for his team, but it wasn’t enough on Sunday when the Lakers lost to the Dallas Mavericks 134-128. Now he is out for tonight’s game as well.
OKC should be able to pick an easy win, particularly if they apply the same pressure that they did last Thursday night. The Lakers turned the ball over 18 times, which the Thunder converted into 24 points. Not only was OKC’s defense impressive, but the Thunder knocked down 19-of-42 from downtown, an area in which they have struggled lately.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the other starters will likely get some rest tonight as long as they take care of business, as they should. Jalen Williams is resting for this first game of a back-to-back due to the recent issues with a hamstring strain. At this rate, the Thunder should cruise into the postseason with the league’s best record and the best odds to win the NBA Finals.
Game Details
Tip-Off: 9:30 PM CT
Location: Crypto.com Arena (Los Angeles, California)
Television: Fanduel Sports Network Oklahoma
Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC The Sports Animal
Twitter: Follow @ZacharyLowNBA for live tweets and discussion during the game
Game Notes: Oklahoma City Thunder Official Game Notes, Los Angeles Lakers Official Game Notes
Projected Starters
Thunder
- PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- SG: Cason Wallace
- SF: Luguentz Dort
- PF: Chet Holmgren
- C: Isaiah Hartenstein
Lakers
- PG: Luke Kennard
- SG: Jake LaRavia
- SF: Rui Hachimura
- PF: Jarred Vanderbilt
- C: Deandre Ayton
Injury Report
Thunder
- Thomas Sorber (right ACL surgical recovery) is OUT.
- Jalen Williams (right hamstring injury management) is OUT.
Lakers
- Luka Doncic (strained left hamstring) is OUT.
- Jaxson Hayes (left foot soreness) is OUT.
- LeBron James (left foot injury management) is OUT.
- Austin Reaves (left oblique muscle strain) is OUT.
- Marcus Smart (right ankle contusion) is OUT.
Head-to-Head
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 33-29 against the Lakers (18-13 at home, 15-16 on the road).
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder has won the season series against the Lakers 8 times, lost 7 times, and tied it twice.
- The Thunder went 2-1 against the Lakers last season (1-1 at home, 1-0 on the road).
- The Thunder is 3-0 against the Lakers so far this season (2-0 at home, 1-0 on the road).