“We’ve played them [both] a few times … We know what it will look like.”
SGA on playing either the Lakers or the Rockets in the second round ⚡
Getty
The Los Angeles Lakers can see the second round from where they are standing. They are not there yet. The Western Conference picture is coming into focus. Los Angeles still has work to do before joining it.
A 3-1 series lead over the Houston Rockets felt comfortable before Sunday. Game 4’s 115-96 loss added weight to Wednesday’s Game 5 that was not there before, but the Lakers should likely take care of business at home.
Oklahoma City punched their ticket Monday. The wait begins now.
The Oklahoma City Thunder completed a four-game sweep of the Phoenix Suns on Monday night, winning 131-122 to advance to the Western Conference semifinals.
They will likely face the Lakers in the next round, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was asked about that matchup (or a potential Rockets matchup) after the win.
“We’ve played them [both] a few times … We know what it will look like.” Gilgeous-Alexander said.
Oklahoma City has seen enough of both remaining teams to understand what either matchup demands. SGA made that clear without elaborating further.
For the Lakers, it is the next challenge on the horizon. If they finish Houston on Wednesday, what awaits them is a Thunder team that has already settled in, studied the film, and knows exactly what it wants to do.
“We’ve played them [both] a few times … We know what it will look like.”
SGA on playing either the Lakers or the Rockets in the second round ⚡
Monday night was not Oklahoma City’s cleanest performance of the series, but it was never really in doubt.
Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 31 points two days after dropping 42 in Game 3. Around him, the Thunder got exactly the kind of balanced production that makes them difficult to game-plan against. Chet Holmgren posted 24 points and 12 rebounds, Isaiah Hartenstein added 18 and 12, and Ajay Mitchell contributed 22 off the bench.
The depth behind Gilgeous-Alexander is what separates Oklahoma City from most teams at this stage. The supporting cast relieves him of having to be perfect every night. When Phoenix trimmed the gap late, Oklahoma City had an answer. That is what good teams do.
That is the team waiting for the Lakers on the other side.
GettyOklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams.
Oklahoma City is not the Lakers’ concern yet. Houston made sure of that on Sunday.
Sunday’s 115-96 loss did not change the math, but it changed some of the feeling around the series.
Ayton’s words after the game were pointed. No comfort in a 3-1 lead. He made clear the Lakers were angry and that Game 4 left unfinished business. That is exactly where their focus needs to stay.
The Lakers have the home floor for Game 5, a 3-1 advantage, and three chances to win one game. Los Angeles also has history on its side. No team in NBA history has ever come back from 3-0 down.
GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS – APRIL 26: Jabari Smith Jr. #10 of the Houston Rockets defends LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second quarteri in Game Four of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 26, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
The Thunder swept a playoff series and now sit back while two teams fight for the right to face them. That is the position every contender wants to be in heading into the second round.
The Lakers have the lead. They have the home game. They have everything they need to close this out Wednesday.
Wednesday settles the immediate question. Everything after that belongs to Oklahoma City.
Keith Watkins Keith Watkins is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. He previously wrote for FanSided, NBA Analysis Network, and Last Word On Sports. Keith is based in Bangkok, Thailand. More about Keith Watkins
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