The Oklahoma City Thunder outplayed the Luka Doncic-less Lakers (hamstring) from start to finish on Tuesday night and secured a series-opening 108-90 home victory. If the Lakers’ playoff run ends in the Western Conference Semifinals, it’s likely the organization will endure a productive offseason.

Dethroning the defending champs isn't going to be an easy task, and the Los Angeles Lakers learned that in Game 1 against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday.

Ex-NBA player Gilbert Arenas urged a Lakers starter not to shoot too many shots after LA fell to the OKC Thunder in Game 1.

The defending NBA champion Thunder won all four regular season matchups with the Lakers by an average of nearly 30 points. What do sportsbooks think about the Western Conference Semifinals series?

The Lakers are down to 40-1 to win the NBA championship following their Game 1 loss to the Thunder.

Los Angeles limited soon-to-be back-to-back MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to just 18 points. It is a rarity to see the leader of the reigning champions below 20 points in a game. Lakers coach JJ Redick was happy with the way his team defended the Kentucky product.

NBA playoffs picks, predictions, odds, TV channel, how to watch, stream Los Angeles Lakers vs Oklahoma City Thunder NBA playoff game on May 7, 2026.

Tip-off is at 7:00 PM ET on NBC and Peacock.

Los Angeles Lakers star guard Austin Reaves was voted one of the most underrated players in the entire NBA by his peers.