The Los Angeles Lakers took care of business in the first round against the Houston Rockets.
Now it is on to bigger (but perhaps not better) things.
Los Angeles ousted Houston in six games. The Rockets may have not had Kevin Durant for much of the series, but the Lakers didn’t have Austin Reaves for all but two games.
Oh, and that guy in street clothes at the end of the bench? He hasn’t played, either. And he’s pretty good, too.
Without Luka Doncic, the Lakers won a playoff series. That alone is already a massive win for the team this season. Even if L.A. doesn’t win another game this spring, no one can chalk up the end of this season as a major disappointment.
GettyLuka Doncic may not play against the Thunder in the second round.
The Lakers understand who awaits them. It’s the defending champion.
Although the Lakers are walking into round two as prohibitive underdogs, there is plenty of intrigue surrounding this series versus the Thunder.
L.A. may be without Doncic indefinitely, but the Thunder could be without Jalen Williams to start the series.
Whether Williams will play in Game 1 is something on a lot of Lakers fans’ minds as Tuesday night approaches.
Los Angeles Lakers Learn More on Thunder Star’s Recovery
L.A. has been without a top player. Oklahoma City has been without a top player. Neither team has really shown so far it misses its top player.
Especially the Thunder, who swept their opening round series against the Phoenix Suns with soon-to-be two-time NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander showing he is the best in the world.
However, if the Thunder march into Game 1 in Paycom Center with Williams still sidelined, it gives Lakers fans more hope their team could make things interesting early in the series.
According to Thunder head coach Mark Daigneult, Williams is continuing to progress in his rehab ahead of Game 1, but no official return date has been decided.
“I think his personality — such a dynamic personality — it can overshadow the fact that he’s a ruthless competitor,” said Daigneault, a former NBA Coach of the Year. “He’s a great competitor. There’s never a game that he’s not competing. He plays with a motor every single night. He is a 7 o’clock player. When it’s 7, he’s ready to go. When he’s out, it hurts. I think that’s probably hard for him to turn off.
“And it helps the team. It helps the team stay present. It helps the team stay competitive. He’s a huge personality on the team. So, his presence around us is vitally important.”
L.A. Holding Out Hope on Its Star
Lakers fans are keeping one eye on Williams’ situation down in Oklahoma City, but they are more concerned about Doncic.
Doncic, 27, has not played in 31 days. He suffered a Grade 2 hamstring against (guess who!) this very Oklahoma City team the Lakers will see in just over 48 hours.
There is still no set timeline on Doncic’s return, though NBA insider Brian Windhorst reported a significant update on Doncic could be learned in as soon as 7-10 days.
Another NBA insider, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, reported Doncic will be re-evaluated next week. That could mean the Lakers provide a targeted return date, or it could mean Doncic will remain out indefinitely.
For now, the Lakers will certainly be without Doncic to open their second round series. For the Thunder, Williams’ availability for Game 1 seems to be a toss-up.
Lakers Get Important Jalen Williams News Ahead of Game 1 vs. Thunder