The Los Angeles Lakers enter Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals needing a response after a 108-90 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the series opener. Already without Luka Doncic because of a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, the Lakers will also be without forward Jarred Vanderbilt after he suffered a finger dislocation in Game 1.
Ahead of Thursday night’s matchup at Paycom Center, the Lakers confirmed their starting lineup for Game 2. LeBron James, Austin Reaves, Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura, and Deandre Ayton will open the game for Los Angeles as the team attempts to avoid falling into a 2-0 series deficit.
The Thunder enter Game 2 unbeaten in the postseason at 5-0 and have now won five straight games against the Lakers dating back to the regular season. Oklahoma City controlled most of Game 1 despite holding Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to 18 points and seven turnovers.
Lakers Starting Lineup Against Oklahoma City Thunder
The Lakers will stick with their veteran-heavy starting group despite additional injuries entering Game 2.
Lineup alerts confirmed that Los Angeles will start James, Reaves, Smart, Hachimura, and Ayton against Oklahoma City on Thursday night.
The lineup adjustment comes after Vanderbilt was ruled out because of the right finger dislocation he suffered during the second quarter of Game 1. Vanderbilt injured his finger while attempting a block at the rim when his hand became caught on the backboard.
Lakers coach JJ Redick addressed the team’s rotation plans before Game 2 and said Los Angeles would use “at least” a nine-man rotation despite Vanderbilt’s absence.
That likely opens additional minutes for Jake LaRavia and the second unit as the Lakers try to match Oklahoma City’s depth and athleticism.
Redick also confirmed that Luke Kennard would be available after dealing with neck soreness for several weeks.
JJ Redick says Luke Kennard has been dealing with the neck soreness for at least a few weeks, but will play in tonight’s Game 2.
Kennard’s availability is important for a Lakers team searching for perimeter scoring and floor spacing against Oklahoma City’s top-ranked defense.
The Lakers struggled offensively in the opener, scoring only 37 second-half points while shooting 41.7% from the field overall.
James led Los Angeles with 27 points on 12-of-17 shooting in Game 1. Hachimura added 18 points, while Ayton finished with a double-double.
Reaves, however, struggled heavily with just eight points on 3-of-16 shooting and four turnovers.
LeBron James and Austin Reaves Face Bigger Offensive Load Without Luka Doncic
GettyAustin Reaves #15, LeBron James #23, and Marcus Smart #36 of the Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers continue to operate without Doncic, who remains sidelined while recovering from his hamstring injury.
Doncic has started running again and progressing through rehabilitation, but he has not yet been cleared for contact work. He remains out indefinitely as the Lakers attempt to stay competitive against the defending NBA champions.
Without Doncic, the offensive burden continues to fall heavily on James and Reaves.
James was aggressive early in Game 1 and kept Los Angeles competitive for stretches despite Oklahoma City’s defensive pressure. But the Thunder eventually separated late in the third quarter behind their defense and transition offense.
The Lakers committed 18 turnovers in the opener, which led to 20 Thunder points.
Oklahoma City also limited Los Angeles’ three-point shooting and consistently disrupted the offensive rhythm by pressuring the ball with multiple defenders.
The Lakers are hoping Reaves can recover quickly from his recent shooting struggles after returning from a left oblique injury that sidelined him for nearly a month.
Reaves has now played only three games since returning and is still working to regain rhythm offensively. He is 2-for-17 from three-point range since coming back during the first-round series against Houston.
Even with Gilgeous-Alexander held below 20 points in Game 1, Oklahoma City still controlled the game comfortably behind balanced scoring from Chet Holmgren, Ajay Mitchell, and the rest of the Thunder rotation.
Game 2 remains critical for Los Angeles before the series shifts back to Crypto.com Arena for Games 3 and 4.
Lakers Announce Game 2 Starting Lineup Against Thunder After Jarred Vanderbilt News