Los Angeles Lakers Announce Roster Move Before Thunder Game

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EL SEGUNDO, CA - APRIL 02: Dalton Knecht speaks with the media during a Lakers practice at UCLA Health Training Center on Wednesday, April 2, 2025 in El Segundo, CA.(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

On Thursday night, the Los Angeles Lakers will visit the Oklahoma City Thunder in Oklahoma.

The Lakers are coming off a 127-113 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers (at home).

Los Angeles Lakers Make Roster Move Before Thunder Game

GettyLos Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick stands on the court during a timeout during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA.

Before Thursday’s game, the Lakers announced that they had made several roster moves.

Lakers Nation wrote: “The Los Angeles Lakers have assigned guards Kobe Bufkin and Dalton Knecht along with forward Adou Thiero to the South Bay Lakers.

South Bay’s playoff opener is tonight.”

Knecht This Season

GettyDalton Knecht #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles upcourt during the second half of a game against the Sacramento Kings at Crypto.com Arena on December 28, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.

Knecht is averaging 4.0 points and 1.4 rebounds per contest while shooting 44.6% from the field and 30.4% from three-point range in 50 games.

He was the 17th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft out of Tennessee.

Thiero This Season

Getty Adou Thiero #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers in action against the Sacramento Kings at Crypto.com Arena on December 28, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.

Thiero is averaging 1.4 points and 1.0 rebounds per contest while shooting 45.5% from the field in 21 games.

He was the 36th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft out of Arkansas.

Bufkin This Season

GettyKobe Bufkin #44 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on during the preseason match between the Brooklyn Nets and Hapoel Jerusalem B.C. at Barclays Center on October 04, 2025 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.

Bufkin is averaging 2.7 points per contest while shooting 29.3% from the field and 13.6% from three-point range in 13 games.

He has also spent time with the Atlanta Hawks over three seasons.

The former Michigan star was the 15th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.

Lakers Ahead Of OKC Clash

GettyLos Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) shakes hands with his son, Bronny, after losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves in game 5 of the first round of the NBA playoffs at Crypto.com Arena.

The Lakers have been on fire as of late.

They come into play as the third seed in the Western Conference with a 50-26 record in 76 games.

In addition, the Lakers are in the middle of a four-game winning streak (and have won nine out of their last ten).

Following the Thunder, they will play their next game on Sunday when they visit Cooper Flagg and the Dallas Mavericks in Texas.

OKC Before Los Angeles Comes To Town

GettyShai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts against the Chicago Bulls in the first half at the United Center on October 26, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.

The Thunder are the first seed in the Western Conference with a 60-16 record in 76 games.

They are in the middle of a three-game winning streak (and have won nine out of their last ten).