Maddie Meyer/Getty
Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce.
The LA Lakers looked a cut below the OKC Thunder after the latter’s 108-90 win to open the Western Conference semifinals opener. The Lakers were without Luka Doncic in the loss and felt ever lacking offensively against the defensive-minded Thunder to open the series.
However, according to Boston Celtics legend and one-time NBA champion Paul Pierce, a Doncic return would not impact anything about the Lakers in the series against the Thunder. For Pierce, Doncic can’t just get out of the long layoff and play a Thunder squad full of feisty defenders such as Lu Dort, Cason Wallace, and Alex Caruso.
“You can’t just get off the couch and play OKC. Like, people just think Luka is back out there, the Luka you’re going to see next game will be the same Luka,” Pierce said in the No Fouls Given show.
“I don’t want to see Lu Dort guarding Luka Doncic. Coming off an injury, I don’t want to see that. I don’t want to see somebody switch off on Luka coming off injury on OKC. I wish it were a different team,” he added.
Paul Pierce says even if Luka Doncic comes back it don’t make a difference:
“You can’t just get off the couch and play OKC. Like, people just think Luka back out there, the Luka you going to see next game he plays not going to be the same Luka…. I don’t want to see Lu Dort
Doncic has been out with a Grade 2 hamstring injury, which he picked up during a regular-season game against the Thunder last month.
Doncic is expected to be out for at least Game 2. His availability remains uncertain beyond that game.
The Lakers and Doncic have expedited his recovery over the past few weeks, including allowing Doncic to travel to Europe to get a stem cell treatment for his leg. However, he has yet to have any physically taxing training since then.
In Game 1, Doncic watched as the Lakers struggled on the offensive end, particularly Austin Reaves, who only had eight points after shooting 3-of-16 from the field. James led the Lakers with 27 points.
GettyJJ Redick reflects on Game 1 loss.
JJ Redick had a harsh statement for the Lakers after their Game 1 loss to the Thunder. According to him, the Lakers suffered from their habitual mistakes that hampered their game plans.
“I don’t think there was a turning point,” Redick said. “I think it was a general theme throughout the night when we made game plan mistakes. They hurt us.”
“I thought the Houston Game 5 was the most game plan mistakes we made in a playoff game so far. We obviously lost that game. You’re playing the world champs; your margin for error in terms of mistakes is not that high,” he added.
Redick now has a day to recover and prepare for Game 2, which could be crucial in the Lakers’ chances.
GettyJJ Redick after the Lakers’ Game 1.
JJ Redick wants to see more shots fall for the Lakers in Game 2 as they look to bounce back and potentially tie the series before heading back to Los Angeles.
“We got to make shots,” Redick said. “10-for-30 from three. Austin [Reaves] goes 3-for-16. Thought Luke [Kennard] passed some really good looks down early. Then don’t turn the ball over. We had 10 turnovers in the second half. I mean, that’s the other part.
Game 2 of the series will be on Thursday, May 7, still in Oklahoma City.
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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