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Los Angeles, CA, Monday, November 15, 2021 - Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso (6) hugs LeBron James during a break in the first quarter as the former Laker is given a tribute at Staples Center. Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
On Thursday evening, the Los Angeles Lakers will play the Oklahoma City Thunder (in OKC) for Game 2 of their second-round playoff series.
The Thunder beat the Lakers by a score of 108-90 (in Game 1) on Tuesday night.
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin wrote (after Game 1): “The Lakers lose Game 1, 108-90, after being outscored 39-25 in the last quarter and a half. LeBron 27 pts 6 ast; Rui 18 pts; Smart 12 pts on 4-of-15 shooting 7 ast 4 stl; Ayton 10 pts 11 reb; Reaves 8 pts on 3-of-16 4 ast. OKC bench outscored LAL reserves 34-15.”
The Lakers lose Game 1, 108-90, after being outscored 39-25 in the last quarter and a half. LeBron 27 pts 6 ast; Rui 18 pts; Smart 12 pts on 4-of-15 shooting 7 ast 4 stl; Ayton 10 pts 11 reb; Reaves 8 pts on 3-of-16 4 ast. OKC bench outscored LAL reserves 34-15.
GettyLeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers works against Alex Caruso #9 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Paycom Center on May 05, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Ahead of Game 2, Alex Caruso was asked about LeBron James (h/t Clemente Almanza of OKC Thunder Wire).
Caruso: “He’s always ready for the moment. Everyone likes to talk about his age but it’s still LeBron James… He’s still very capable of being the best player on the court any given night that he’s playing the game. Just having that respect for him, and then understanding that he’s very smart and he uses the game to his advantage a lot.”
Alex Caruso on facing LeBron James in a playoff series: “He’s always ready for the moment. Everybody wants to talk about his age but he’s still LeBron James. He’s still capable of being the best player on the court any given night.”
GettyLeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the second 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.
James is in his 23rd season (and eighth with the Lakers).
He is currently averaging 23.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 1.3 steals per contest while shooting 46.9% from the field and 33.3% from three-point range in his first seven games of the 2026 NBA playoffs.
GettyAlex Caruso #9 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts during the fourth quarter of a game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Paycom Center on May 05, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Caruso is in his second season playing for the Thunder.
He helped lead the franchise to the 2025 NBA Championship over the Indiana Pacers.
Right now, Caruso is averaging 8.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.0 steals per contest while shooting 51.6% from the field and 42.9% from three-point range in his first five games of the 2026 NBA playoffs.
James and Caruso were teammates (with the Lakers) from 2017-21.
The Lakers are the fourth seed after going 53-29 during the regular season.
They beat the Houston Rockets in the first round (in six games).
Meanwhile, the Thunder are the first seed after going 64-18.
They swept the Phoenix Suns in the first round.
Ben Stinar Ben Stinar has been covering the NBA for over seven years. He has written for OnSI, Forbes, Amico Hoops, The Big Lead and had a podcast with former All-Star Jameer Nelson. More about Ben Stinar
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