Getty

TORONTO, CANADA - FEBRUARY 24: Luguentz Dort #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on during the second half of their NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on February 24, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Cole Burston/Getty Images)

As the defending champions, the OKC Thunder have long been seen as the team to beat this season. The Thunder has also been perceived as the new villains of the NBA, with numerous narratives about their physicality and offensive flow, which include rampant drives that have resulted in free throws.

One of those who were vilified throughout the season was guard Lu Dort, who has been one of the longest-tenured players on the team. According to Dort, the fans are wired to find villains in the league, and he is just embracing that identity now. 

“The fans always look for the villain,” said Dort, who is known for his relentless perimeter defense that has hounded opposing players throughout the years, via The Ringer. “Everything that I’m doing now, I’ve been doing for years. Whatever they got to say, they got to say, but my main job is to go out there and play the way that I play and [do] anything I can do to help my team win.”

The Thunder has been dominant so far in the playoffs. They have swept the Phoenix Suns in the first round in a series that felt like the Thunder had control for the entirety of the games. 

Then, they will face the LA Lakers, one of the most popular franchises in the league, whose squad is coming off an impressive Round 1 victory against the Houston Rockets, a team many considered to have an edge against the Lakers, considering that they are playing without Luka Doncic in the series. 

The Thunder is the heavy favorite to win against the Lakers. In their four regular-season games, the Thunder defeated the Lakers in all of them with an average margin of 29.4 points. 

In Round 2, the Thunder is likely to play without Jalen Williams, who has played a key two-way role for the team in its championship run last season. 

Thunder Gets Fueled By The Challenge of Other Teams

GettyMark Daigneault reflects on the Thunder’s identity.

After their championship run last year, the Thunder has built a culture of overcoming adversity, including ones that are rooted in doubts.

In the same interview by The Ringer, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault knew the team is extra motivated when a challenge is right in front of them. 

“When they see a challenge, they’re excited about a challenge,” he said. “That’s just the way these guys are wired. And I think they viewed the beginning of the season as a challenge. They knew all the same challenges that come with a long run. “There’s a lot of gasoline there. You just got to flick a match.”

The challenge in the Lakers series comes from the 41-year-old LeBron James, who has carried the Lakers in Doncic’s absence en route to the second round. 

In Round 1, James put up 23.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game to put the Lakers on his shoulders. 

Thunder Braces For The Lakers in Round 2

GettyThe OKC Thunder will face the Lakers in Game 1 on. Tuesday night.

The Thunder will open Round 2 against the Lakers on Tuesday, May 5, in Oklahoma City. Tip-off is at 8:30 p.m. Eastern time. 

It will be the first time the two franchises face off in a playoff series since the 2012 Western Conference semifinals. That series featured the likes of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden for the Thunder, and Kobe Bryant for the Lakers.