Let’s not sugarcoat it — Saturday’s beat down was a whole vibe. The Los Angeles Lakers waltzed into OKC and left with a 27-point win, and Luka Doncic looked like he was hooping in a video game in rookie mode. The Thunder never stood a chance.
But as these two teams prepare to run it back just 48 hours later, all eyes are locked in on one question: Will Luka Doncic and LeBron James actually suit up again tonight?
Injury Report: Big Names Up in the Air
Monday’s injury report hit like a splash of cold water on the hype train. The Lakers have listed Luka Doncic (groin), LeBron James (groin), Austin Reaves (ankle), Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle), and Gabe Vincent (knee) as questionable for Tuesday’s matchup against the Thunder.
Yes, questionable. And while that status has become the NBA’s favorite “maybe,” it still casts some doubt over whether fans will get to see the dynamic duo back at it again in OKC.
Luka’s groin issue might be minor, but load management and playoff preparation are real. The man just dropped 30 points (22 in the first half), 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals in his last game — if the Lakers want to keep him fresh, sitting him wouldn’t shock anyone.
Lakers say LeBron James (groin), Luka Doncic (groin), Austin Reaves (ankle), Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle), and Gabe Vincent (knee) are all questionable for tomorrow’s game against OKC.
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) April 7, 2025
LeBron? Well, he’s not just hooping at 40, he’s podcasting too. After Saturday’s win, Bron joked: “We got that dub out of the way and now I’m about to go film @mindthegamepod with Steve Nash.” Only LeBron could drop 19-7-3 and then go from locker room to microphone like it’s a doubleheader.
The Thunder, meanwhile, are a little banged up themselves. Ajay Mitchell (toe), Alex Ducas (quad), and Ousmane Dieng (calf) are out, and Jaylin Williams (ankle) is questionable. So both benches could look a little different when the ball tips.
Luka Doncic Is Quietly Building a Thunder-Slaying Legacy
While LeBron brings the headlines, it’s Luka Doncic who’s been quietly cooking up an OKC nightmare. Saturday’s 30-piece wasn’t a fluke — it was just another entry in a growing book of domination.
Let’s talk receipts.
Before joining the Lakers, Luka already had OKC’s number. With the Mavericks, he averaged 26.4 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 8.6 assists per game against the Thunder. Add in his latest performance, and it’s looking like the uniform changed — but the destruction didn’t.
This man plays like he’s got a personal vendetta against OKC’s defense. Whether he’s isolating on the wing, running pick-and-roll, or launching step backs from Texas, Luka just seems to get whatever he wants when the Thunder are the opponent.
Feb 27, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts after making a basket during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images
The Lakers have now won four of their last five against the Thunder, and Luka might be the X-factor pushing that dominance forward. If he plays, it could be another case study on why OKC just hasn’t figured him out.
As the Lakers and Thunder prepare for Round 2, fans are holding their breath. Luka Doncic has turned OKC into his personal playground, and LeBron James is still moving like the GOAT that never left his prime.
Whether they play or not, the momentum is on LA’s side. But if Luka’s groin holds up and he takes the court? Oklahoma might be in for another long night.
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