The Los Angeles Lakers know who awaits on the opposite side of the fence. The biggest threat to their season has arrived.
The Lakers are rolling coming out of a first round win, defeating the Houston Rockets in six games.
L.A. rushed out to a 3-0 lead before Houston made it interesting again. Then the Lakers slammed the door on potentially embarrassing history.
Up next are the Oklahoma City Thunder, the defending NBA champions looking very much the part early on in this spring tournament.
They won 68 games a year ago and 64 more this year. Then they walked into the playoffs and walked down the Phoenix Suns.
Oklahoma City was the only team to sweep their first round series. That’s quite the message for a defending champion. The offense is stellar and the defense continues to trend historically.
Meanwhile, the Lakers are still trying to climb out of the Luka Doncic hole. Yes, they won a series without him, but many NBA fans will rush to sort out the (many) differences between those Rockets and these Thunder.
Los Angeles Lakers Dealt More Unfavorable News
For the most part, it was no Doncic, no Austin Reaves, no problem for L.A. Much of that is thanks to LeBron James, the freshly unshelled star in the wake of the Lakers’ best scorer being sidelined for over a month.
GettyLos Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, and Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart
James continues to age-defying in many ways. He’ll need to be in even more ways against the Thunder.
L.A. is already facing a steep uphill battle, and if the Thunder see the return of their All-NBA swingman in Game 1, that’ll be another big blow.
Thunder star Jalen Williams has been out of the lineup for nearly two weeks after sustaining a Grade 1 hamstring strain. Before he did, he was quite the load for the Suns. The world was watching how invincible Oklahoma City can be when Williams is operating at his best .
As Game 1 from Oklahoma City approaches, the Lakers are likely looking out to learn Williams’ final playing status. According to the California Post, there is a legitimate chance the 25-year-old Oklahoma City star could suit up for Game 1.
“The Thunder said April 23 that Williams would be reevaluated weekly. Grade 1 hamstring strains typically heal in one to two weeks,” the Post wrote. “InStreetClothes, an NBA injury database run by certified athletic trainer Jeff Stotts, said the average time lost for the type of injury Williams suffered is about 12.4 days. Those timelines could put Williams back in the lineup for Game 1, which is 13 days after he suffered his injury.”
Chances of Survival Against Star-Studded Champs?
Williams returning for Game 1 would clearly be a major boost for the Thunder. The star forward is elite off the dribble and attacking the basket. He particularly excels in the pick-and-roll when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the leading MVP candidate, is swallowing much of the defense’s attention.
Williams provides the Thunder with another table-setting option along with Gilgeous-Alexander and breakout guard Ajay Mitchell. Defensively, Williams, an All-Defensive Third Team selection a year ago, is the ideal wing at roughly 6’8” to match up with James.
Still just 25, he delivers an invaluable impact on both ends.
Before going down with a hamstring injury in round one, Williams was stellar, averaging 20.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game while shooting over 60% from the field and better than 50% from 3.
There are very few answers for the Thunder when the tandem of Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams are firing on all cylinders.
Game 1 is approaching fast. Tip from Paycom Center is set for 7:30 p.m.
Lakers Hit With Tough Jalen Williams Update Ahead of Game 1 vs OKC