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OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - MAY 05: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the third quarter of a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Paycom Center on May 05, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
LeBron James has been carrying the LA Lakers throughout this year’s NBA playoffs. In Game 1, James put the Lakers on his back, putting up 27 points on an efficient 12-of-17 shooting from the field along with four rebounds and six assists, albeit in a loss.
James’ Game 1 performance is a cause of concern for the Thunder heading to Game 2 on Thursday night. According to Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault, the team must be wary of James’ aggression, especially as he tries to set the tone for the Lakers.
“He was in first-punch mode to start [Game 1],” Daigneault said. “He was really aggressive early. It was clear that he wanted to set a tone for the series and for the game, and he did.”
“That’s a good lesson for us, understanding his aggression at different points of the game. He does an incredible job of choosing his spots. Some of it, you tip your hat. He made some tough ones, and then there are other ones that we can correct, just like any player in any game. We’ve just got to be a little bit better in all facets.”
Asked Mark Daigneault about LeBron James’ aggression in Game 1 and what it’ll take for OKC to provide some more resistance:
“Credit him. He was in first-punch mode to start the game. He was really aggressive early. It was clear that he wanted to set a tone for the series and for
James, who is 41 years old, played 36 minutes and feasted on his height advantage against Thunder’s defenders such as Lu Dort, Alex Caruso, and Cason Wallace.
James has been filling the void left by Luka Doncic, the Lakers’ leading scorer in the regular season, who has been recovering from a hamstring injury since last month. Doncic averaged 33.5 points in the regular season and has been the engine of the Lakers’ offense.
Outside of James, the Lakers struggled to find other options as Austin Reaves shot an atrocious 3-of-16 from the field to finish Game 1 with just eight points.
After Game 1, LeBron James got honest about what the Lakers are missing in the playoffs as they still wait for Luka Doncic’s recovery.
James said that Doncic’s absence has been a major offensive dilemma for the Lakers, especially since they are playing against the defending champions Thunder.
“When you play against the world champions and [miss] having a guy that averages 34 [points], eight [rebounds], and nine [assists], and is that special,” James said, via Dave McMenamin.
The Lakers have some silver lining against the Thunder in the defensive end, holding Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to just 18 points, his lowest scoring output since Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals last year.
However, the Lakers only scored 90 points as a team as the Thunder’s defense clamped down on them and forced them to speed up their offense throughout the game.
GettyOklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James
Game 2 between the Lakers and the Thunder will be on Thursday night, May 7, in Oklahoma City.
The game carries a lot of weight for the Lakers as they must weather the Thunder storm to steal one on the road before heading to Los Angeles for Games 3 and 4.
It remains, however, a tall task for the Lakers as the Thunder has yet to lose a game in the playoffs.
Rob Andrew Lo Rob Andrew Lo is a writer at Heavy Sports and is covering the NBA. He has covered local, collegiate, professional and international sports in various sites. He was the sports editor of The Varsitarian, the official student publication of University of Santo Tomas, and a sports, entertainment, and lifestyle writer for Rappler. A Journalism graduate from the University of Santo Tomas, he has built his voice across both collegiate and international platforms, previously contributing NBA coverage to Fansided and Sportskeeda. More about Rob Andrew Lo
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