The Oklahoma City Thunder dominated the Los Angeles Lakers this season. They swept the Lakers 4-0, winning by an impressive average of 29.3 points per game. This marks the largest point differential in a regular season sweep within the same conference for the 2025-26 season.
There are some important points to note, though. LeBron James, Luka Dončić, and Austin Reaves rarely played together. In the one game they did, the Lakers were down by 16 points in less than 18 minutes. Injuries sidelined Dončić and Reaves for several crucial games. Dončić is out with a hamstring strain, while Reaves is just coming back from an oblique injury. If Dončić returns, keep in mind: the Lakers were outscored by 56 points in the 59 minutes he played against the Thunder.
Facing the Thunder will be tough for the Lakers, who need to solve both offensive and defensive challenges if they hope to compete.
### Series Schedule
Here’s how to catch the Thunder vs. Lakers matchups:
- Game 1: May 5 – Los Angeles at Oklahoma City (8:30 PM ET, NBC/Peacock)
- Game 2: May 7 – Los Angeles at Oklahoma City (9:30 PM ET, Prime Video)
- Game 3: May 9 – Oklahoma City at Los Angeles (8:30 PM ET, ABC)
- Game 4: May 11 – Oklahoma City at Los Angeles (10:30 PM ET, Prime Video)
- Game 5: May 13 – Los Angeles at Oklahoma City
- Game 6: May 16 – Oklahoma City at Los Angeles
- Game 7: May 18 – Los Angeles at Oklahoma City
### What’s at Stake
This series is significant for both teams. The Thunder aim to repeat as champions, a feat no team has accomplished since the Golden State Warriors did it in 2017-18. In their last series, the Thunder swept the Suns, showcasing their strong offense and defense, alongside impressive depth. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was last season’s MVP and a finalist this year, was stellar against Phoenix, scoring an average of 33.8 points.
For the Lakers, LeBron James, at 41, has still shown he’s a key player, averaging 26 points, 9 rebounds, and nearly 9 assists in their previous series against the Rockets. However, rumors swirl about his potential retirement, adding pressure to his performance.
### Key Players to Watch
For the Thunder, keep an eye on Jalen Williams. He’s recovering from a hamstring strain but is pivotal to the team’s strategy. For the Lakers, they must improve their scoring after struggling to break 100 points in the final games of the Rockets series. With the Thunder’s elite defense led by Chet Holmgren, the Lakers need players like Reaves and Rui Hachimura to step up.
### Important Numbers
A key statistic for the Lakers is their average of 9.2 fewer shot attempts per game compared to the Rockets in the first round. This was the largest gap among playoff teams, which could become a major issue against the Thunder, who’ve consistently dominated possession games.
In summary, while the Thunder seem to have the upper hand, it will be intriguing to see how the Lakers tackle their challenges. The series promises to unveil more narratives about player legacies and the battle for supremacy in the NBA.
For more on the playoffs, check out [NBA statistics](https://www.nba.com/stats/) for deeper insights.
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Thunder-Lakers series preview
