The Thunder had a strong grip during the regular season against the Lakers, winning their four-match series by an impressive average of 29.3 points.
However, the Lakers are gearing up for a challenging showdown.
Here are three key matchups worth watching as we move into the second round of the Lakers’ playoff series with the Thunder.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander vs. Marcus Smart
Gilgeous-Alexander, who’s tipped to be this season’s MVP, is someone to keep an eye on. He consistently scores around 30 points a game, seemingly unstoppable. It’ll be interesting to see how Smart handles this task.
For the Lakers, Smart is a great asset—he’s the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year. In the first round against the Rockets, he did an impressive job of limiting Kevin Durant when he played despite Durant’s 23 points in Game 2.
Smart, who signed on with the Lakers after a contract buyout with the Wizards, has revitalized his career, emerging as a game-changing defender. But facing Gilgeous-Alexander will test his skills in a whole new way.
Gilgeous-Alexander is leading the playoffs with an average of 33.8 points and a shooting percentage of 55.1, which makes him a significant challenge for Smart.
Lakers coach JJ Redick didn’t hold back when discussing Gilgeous-Alexander’s remarkable ability to draw fouls. “Nobody has been able to stop him all season,” Redick said. “So you just kind of have to hope for the best.”
Deandre Ayton vs. Chet Holmgren
Ayton, the former No. 1 pick from the 2018 draft, is eager to showcase his full potential beyond just being a defensive presence. And in this matchup against Holmgren, he’ll need both strength and agility.
Holmgren has proven himself as a top rim protector and floor spacer. In the first round, he helped the Thunder advance with averages of 17.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, and nearly 2 blocks per game.
Ayton performed decently against the Rockets, but his standout moment came in Game 5 where he recorded 18 points and 17 rebounds, despite a loss. In another game against the Lakers, he faced the challenge of shutting down Alperen Sengun, contributing 17 points along with 11 rebounds.
This matchup holds weight for Ayton’s reputation—he needs to secure these lower-stakes encounters to rebuild his standing.
JJ Redick vs. Mark Daigneault
There’s no doubt that Daigneault has crafted a solid team that knows how to secure wins and rise to the occasion. They’ve demonstrated a commitment to sacrifice for the team’s success.
On the flip side, Redick has done something noteworthy. He inspired a sense of belief in a group that many had written off, particularly during their round against the Rockets, especially with key players missing.
Now, facing the reigning champions presents a different set of challenges for the Lakers. “I think the belief is there,” Redick commented during a practice session on Sunday. “We’re evolving as a group.”
