The Los Angeles Lakers entered the Western Conference semifinals already facing long odds against the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. After Tuesday’s 108-90 loss in Game 1, ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith delivered a harsh assessment of the matchup and questioned whether the Lakers have enough healthy firepower to seriously challenge Oklahoma City.
The Thunder improved to 5-0 against the Lakers this season, continuing a stretch of dominant performances that included multiple blowout wins during the regular season. Oklahoma City controlled most of Game 1 despite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring only 18 points and committing seven turnovers, while Chet Holmgren added 24 points and 12 rebounds.
LeBron James finished with 27 points on 12-for-17 shooting, but the Lakers struggled offensively for long stretches. Austin Reaves scored only 8 points on 3-for-16 shooting, while Los Angeles committed 18 turnovers, which led to 20 Thunder points. Luka Doncic remained sidelined with a Grade 2 hamstring strain.
Stephen A. Smith Criticizes Los Angeles Lakers After Oklahoma City Thunder Loss
GettyOklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James
Speaking on ESPN’s “First Take”, Stephen A. Smith pointed directly to the Lakers’ injuries and lack of offensive support around James.
“We know Luka being out there compromised. We know Austin Reaves still isn’t back to himself, even though he’s back,” Smith said. “LeBron James, what can we say? There’s nothing to say about LeBron James. Forty-one years of age, 23rd season in the league. He did his job. He did, but he’s a one-man show. That’s not going to work against the reigning defending NBA champions.”
“There’s nothing to say about LeBron James. 41 years of age, 23rd season in the league. He did his job. He’s a one man show. That’s not going to work against the defending champions…. The Thunder are unfazed”
(Via @FirstTake)
Smith then compared Oklahoma City’s control of the game to a boxing match in which one fighter keeps moving forward despite the punches being thrown.
“You know what last night was the equivalent of?” Smith said. “You’re in the ring with a dude that is just walking to you and he’s stalking you and you can’t hurt him. They know it. There’s nothing that you can do.”
He continued by saying the Thunder never appeared rattled during the game despite the Lakers attempting to slow them down defensively.
“At no time did you ever doubt what the outcome would be because they just didn’t have the personnel,” Smith said. “They are unfazed. They’ve won by an average of 27 points or so in the five games they beat them this year.”
Smith also referenced former heavyweight boxer Larry Holmes’ fight against Tex Cobb while describing Oklahoma City’s response to the Lakers’ effort.
“That was the Oklahoma City Thunder last night when it comes to the Lakers,” Smith said. “They are not worried about the Lakers in the slightest.”
LeBron James Addresses Lakers Offensive Problems Without Luka Doncic
GettyLos Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James and Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic
After the loss, James acknowledged how difficult it is for the Lakers to generate offense without Doncic against the NBA’s top-ranked defense.
“We have a guy that averages 37 a game out,” James said. “There’s the issue right there.”
James added that the Lakers still created quality opportunities but failed to capitalize consistently.
“When you play against great defense, you have to have guys that can attract multiple defenders on the floor at all times,” James said. “I feel like we had great shots tonight, we missed them.”
The Lakers shot 41.2% from the field and just 10-for-30 from three-point range. Reaves continued to show signs of rust after returning from an oblique injury that sidelined him for much of the first-round series against the Houston Rockets.
“I got to get my spots multiple times and just missed a couple of easy shots,” Reaves said after finishing with four turnovers. “But for the most part, you got to limit the turnovers.”
Coach JJ Redick had identified turnovers as a major concern entering the series because of Oklahoma City’s ability to convert live-ball mistakes into transition offense. The Thunder again showed that advantage in Game 1, especially during a decisive third-quarter run that pushed the lead back to double digits.
The Lakers now trail 0-1 in the best-of-seven series heading into Game 2 on Thursday in Oklahoma City, while Doncic continues working through what multiple updates described as a “slow path” in his recovery from a hamstring strain.
Stephen A. Smith Delivers Brutal Assessment of Lakers After Game 1 Loss to Oklahoma City Thunder