Lakers vs. Thunder Preview: A potential star-less contest against the NBA's best
The Lakers take on the best team in the NBA with potentially all their stars absent. Here's your Lakers preview.
LeBron James #23, Luka Doncic #77, and Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers plead their case to referee JD Ralls during an NBA basketball game against the Brooklyn Nets, Friday March 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif. Los Angeles Lakers (50โ28) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (62โ16) | Game 78 of 82 WHERE TO WATCH AND WHAT TIME Date: Tuesday, April 7 Tip-off: 7:30 p.
m. PT Location: American Airlines Center โ Dallas, Texas TV: Spectrum SportsNet+, Spectrum SportsNet Radio: ESPN LA 710 / 1330 KWKW GAME PREVIEW A week ago, this was arguably the most anticipated matchup of the season, a clash between MVP runners and the NBAโs top two scorers, Luka Donฤiฤ and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. But a lot can change in a week, or even days.
Donฤiฤ and backcourt partner Austin Reaves remain out indefinitely with injuries that ended their regular seasons. More worrisome news struck the Lakers' injury report on Monday, with LeBron James added for left foot injury management. So the Lakers could likely be down their top 3 stars, plus Marcus Smart, against the Oklahoma City Thunder in their second matchup in three games against the defending champions.
The Thunder have had the Lakers' number this season, averaging a 27-point margin of victory in three games this year. Oklahoma City will be without its second-best scorer, Jalen Williams, on Tuesday as heโs dealing with a hamstring injury. The Lakers are coming off a disappointing six-point loss in Dallas on Sunday as rookie Cooper Flagg dropped 45 points.