OKC Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers Game Preview

The Oklahoma City Thunder are battling the Los Angeles Lakers in a massive showcase game on Sunday as the two sides get its first look at one another.

Nov 29, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) shoots the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) and center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) in the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Oklahoma City Thunder play host to the Los Angeles Lakers in a game that features plenty of chess pieces.

This is the first time the Thunder have played against the new-look Lakers and the first time Los Angeles has seen a healthy Oklahoma City crew.

Sunday's afternoon tip-off serves as a potential baseline for the OKC Thunder and Los Angeles Lakers if these two sides meet up in the NBA Playoffs as many predict they will.

This is the start of a baseball-style series that sees the two teams meet again on Tuesday in the same venue but with each team on the front end of a back-to-back, signaling a good chance that more players will miss the rematch than this game.

All eyes of the NBA World will be on this contest, rightfully so, on Sunday afternoon.

Nov 29, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) shoots the ball against Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

ODDS:

The Thunder enter the day as 9-point favorites against the Los Angeles Lakers, and the total over/under is 233 points, according to FanDuel.

KEYS TO THE GAME:

The Oklahoma City Thunder have to shoot the ball well from beyond the arc. If the Thunder can force the Lakers to stay home from beyond the arc, it opens up the paint even more with the Lakers not having any back end rim protection for a team that loves to cut and drive. Even more so, if the Lakers abandon the 3-point line regardless of production to make up for this deficiency, OKC must make them pay.

Lu Dort is known for his performances in big games. That trend has to continue tonight. Not only is he a big factor in the first key of 3-point shooting, but has to continue his trend of success in defending one of the best scorers on the planet in Luka Doncic.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has to put together an MVP level performance, a big game tonight would not only go a long way in OKC getting a win but locking up his first MVP honor.

The Oklahoma City Thunder need to get a great game from at least one of Jalen Williams or Chet Holmgren in this big spot, each played well in the Thunder's loss to Houston, a repeat performance against the Purple and Gold goes a long way in helping gain confidence before the playoffs.

Another key will be the double-big lineups, whenever Mark Daigneault deploys the seven-foot duo, can the OKC Thunder overwhelm a small Lakers team with its size?

RECORDS:

Oklahoma City Thunder (64-13) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (47-30)

INJURIES:

Oklahoma City Thunder

Jaylin Williams –– Ankle: OUT

Ousmane Dieng –– Calf: OUT

Alex Ducas –– Quad: OUT

Ajay Mitchell –– Toe: OUT

Nikola Topic –– ACL: OUT

Los Angeles Lakers

Maxi Kleber ––Right Foot: OUT

LeBron James –– Groin: Probable

Check out  later today for an updated injury report.

WHEN:

Sunday, April 6, 2025 at 2:30 PM CT

LOCATION:

Paycom Center - Oklahoma City, OK

TV/RADIO:

NBATV, FanDuel Sports Oklahoma, NBA League Pass, 98.1 FM The Sports Animal

FINAL WORD: 

The Oklahoma City Thunder hope to get back on track in a matchup that features a fully healthy Lakers squad and a healthy Thunder team after OKC fell in Houston on Friday. This starts a baseball style series which wraps up the Thunder home slate in the regular season.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
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