The floor at Paycom Center is ready to become the stage for a series where the Oklahoma City Thunder’s defense and the Lakers’ tactical adjustments will be decisive. Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals is also the opening chapter of a direct matchup between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and LeBron James the symbol of the new generation, expected to receive his second straight MVP, against the icon who has defined 23 NBA seasons.
On the eve of his first-ever playoff matchup against LeBron, Gilgeous-Alexander acknowledged that today’s concept of positionless basketball was largely shaped by the evolution of the four-time champion.
The whole evolution of basketball without fixed positions, I think, is because of him. I don’t need to sit here and tell you what kind of player LeBron James is: he’s one of the greatest ever. It’ll be a fun challenge; you’re really going up against the best. Obviously, he’s a little beyond his physical prime, but he’s still definitely capable of making a difference
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Despite the respect, the Thunder star also sent a clear message to his team: even if James is no longer at his peak, he remains a major threat capable of raising his level in the biggest moments.
His averages of 23.2 points, 8.3 assists, and 7.2 rebounds in the first-round series against Houston (won 4-2) confirm that the Lakers veteran is still a problem for any defense.
Will Doncic play in Game 1?
If there are no doubts about LeBron’s impact, the biggest question mark is whether the Lakers can compete with a powerhouse like OKC without Luka Doncic.
In the final practice before traveling to Oklahoma City, the former Mavericks star worked with the team and extended his session with extra shooting drills.
While his movement may suggest he looks physically fine, a hamstring injury often requires several weeks of recovery – sometimes months if severe. For that reason, the Lakers medical staff reportedly advised head coach JJ Redick not to rush him back for the conference semifinals. At least not at the start.
I don’t have any update
JJ Redick
And once again, the Lakers coach did not change his stance with the media: Doncic is not expected to be available. That means the burden of the Lakers’ offense will once again fall squarely on LeBron’s shoulders.
Past meetings and the playoff unknown
OKC’s confidence is backed by encouraging regular-season numbers, where the Thunder defense held James to 17.5 points per game in their two meetings.
Still, Gilgeous-Alexander reminded his teammates that playoff LeBron is a different, more dangerous version than the one seen in the regular season. For the young Thunder, the task is to prove that the era of the Lakers and LeBron is over – right in front of the man who dominated that era for more than two decades.
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