The Oklahoma City Thunder followed up their championship win by finishing the 2025-2026 regular season as the best team in the NBA.
After going 64-18, the Thunder acquired the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.
The first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs didn’t sweat the Thunder at all. They took on the Phoenix Suns and wrapped it up with a sweep. On Tuesday, May 5, the Thunder will finally get a crack at the Los Angeles Lakers.
GettyOKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – APRIL 5: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder smiles after a play during the second half against the Utah Jazz at Paycom Center on April 5, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
On paper, the Thunder have a massive advantage. Luka Doncic isn’t playing. That didn’t matter for the series against the Houston Rockets in the end. Still, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder aren’t taking the series lightly.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Gets Honest on OKC’s Luka-Less Menality
GettyWASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 21: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on March 21, 2026 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
“They’re playing really well right now, regardless of who’s out there,” Gilgeous-Alexander told reporters on Monday afternoon.
“They’re well-coached. LeBron has been in this situation—this level of games—more than anybody else in the NBA. We don’t take them lightly. To make it this far in the season, you can get beaten by anybody on any given night. We know, going into this matchup, we have to take them seriously. We’ve got to put our best foot forward. That’s what we’ve been focused on all week, getting better, making sure that we are a better team at the end of this week than we were last week. I think we did so.
The Thunder Won’t Overlook The Lakers
GettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 14: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on prior to a game against the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena on March 14, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
There are multiple reasons why the Thunder could slip into a habit of overlooking the Lakers.
The Luka Doncic absence is reason number one. Recent history between the two Western Conference contenders is reason number two.
In four games this year, the Lakers lost every matchup. None of them was particularly close. The smallest margin was nine points on February 9. When the series was revisited on April 2, the Lakers lost 139-96.
On the plus side, the Lakers are getting a clean slate. The playoffs is a different season, giving LA an opportunity to bounce back. They might’ve felt overlooked going into the series against the Rockets, but the Thunder are making it clear they don’t feel the same way.