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2025/26 National Basketball Association (NBA) season
Playoffs - Western Conference Semifinals
Oklahoma City Thunder v Los Angeles Lakers
Paycom Center
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.A.
Friday, 8 May
01:30
The Oklahoma City Thunder will battle the Los Angeles Lakers in a National Basketball Association (NBA) playoff matchup on 8 May.
Head-to-Head
The Lakers and Thunder (including their Seattle SuperSonics era) have a rich playoff history, with Los Angeles holding a strong 26-16 edge in all-time postseason meetings.
Their most recent playoff encounter occurred in earlier rounds, but this 2026 Western Conference Semifinals series pits the veteran Lakers against the top-seeded Thunder.
Most recent meeting
In their latest game on 6 May (Game 1), the Thunder defeated the Lakers 108-90 on the road at Paycom Center.
The Thunder now lead the series 1-0.
Chet Holmgren led Oklahoma City with 24 points and 12 rebounds.
Key Players
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the Thunder’s standout player, delivering clutch scoring, leadership and MVP-level dominance while powering Oklahoma City’s attack.
LeBron James, meanwhile, leads the Lakers with elite scoring, playmaking and experience at 41 years old, and he will be key to his side's win in Oklahoma.
Quotes
“I don’t think there was a turning point. I think it was a general theme throughout the night of when we made game plan mistakes," Lakers head coach JJ Redick said after the Game 1 loss to the Thunder on 6 May.
"They hurt us. You’re playing the World Champs, your margin for error in terms of mistakes is not that high. We have to clean that up.
“But there was some good things. We won expected score, held Shai under 20, he ended up with seven turnovers. We won expected score so it was good enough to win.”
NBA fixtures
Thursday, 07 May
23:00 - Detroit Pistons v Cleveland Cavaliers
Friday, 08 May
01:30 - Oklahoma City Thunder v Los Angeles Lakers
23:00 - Philadelphia 76ers v New York Knicks
Saturday, 09 May
01:30 - Minnesota Timberwolves v San Antonio Spurs
19:00 - Cleveland Cavaliers v Detroit Pistons
Sunday, 10 May
00:30 - Los Angeles Lakers v Oklahoma City Thunder
19:30 - Philadelphia 76ers v New York Knicks
23:30 - Minnesota Timberwolves v San Antonio Spurs
Tuesday, 12 May
00:00 - Cleveland Cavaliers v Detroit Pistons
02:30 - Los Angeles Lakers v Oklahoma City Thunder
20:00 - San Antonio Spurs v Minnesota Timberwolves
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