How to Watch Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: Round 2
The Oklahoma City Thunder have appeared just like the defending NBA Champs all yr lengthy, they usually continued that run into the First Round of the NBA Playoffs, sweeping the Phoenix Suns in 4 video games and getting the longest break between rounds of any workforce within the league.
But the Thunder cannot let their guard down. This week, stay on NBC and Peacockthey face one of many NBA’s most storied franchises, led by the league’s all-time main scorer. LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are coming to Oklahoma City, and you may catch all of the motion with the NBA on NBC.
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How to watch Thunder vs. Lakers Game 1
The Thunder and the Lakers will tip off their Western Conference Semifinals collection at 8:30 pm ET Tuesday, stay from the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. You can catch the sport stay on NBC or stream it on Peacock because the second a part of a doubleheader that begins with the Peacock-exclusive matchup between the Cavaliers and the Pistons within the East.
Mike Tirico will name Tuesday’s sport with evaluation and commentary from NBA legend Reggie Miller and courtside reporting from Zora Stephenson. Be certain to tune in early, earlier than each video games, for NBA Showtime, Peacock‘s unique pregame present, at 7 pm ET.
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What to anticipate from Thunder vs. Lakers Game 1
The Thunder are the clear favorites as we start the collection. They’ve been essentially the most dominant workforce within the league all season, they have Shai Gilgeous-Alexander taking part in MVP-caliber ball once more, they usually swept the Lakers of their common season conferences. All of that plus a series-opener in OKC signifies that the defending champs are sitting fairly. Getting far more relaxation than the Lakers is simply gravy.
But for Los Angeles, a scarcity of relaxation could possibly be an even bigger motivator to sustain the extent of play that received them previous the Houston Rockets, and presumably surpass it. In the First Round collection, LeBron appeared each bit just like the Lakers discipline normal he is set himself up to be in his twenty third yr within the league, main the workforce as a veteran whereas additionally nonetheless in a position to step up and take cost of the Lakers’ offensive assault when vital. With James wanting nice and Austin Reaves again from harm, the Lakers do have a shot if they’ll preserve issues tight and environment friendly.
Will Luka Doncic be again for Lakers-OKC collection?
Plus, there’s another wrinkle to cope with, and that is Luka Doncic. The 2025-2026 common season scoring champion has been out for a month with an harm, however might return nicely earlier than the Conference Semifinals have wrapped up. A dramatic return for Doncic might propel the Lakers to a significant upset, however that is simply hypothesis at this level. For now, anticipate the Thunder to present up prepared and in a position to sweep yet one more collection if the Lakers aren’t cautious.