Dethroning the defending champs isn't going to be an easy task, and the Los Angeles Lakers learned that in Game 1 against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday.

The Lakers have been chasing another NBA title since their 2020 win and the surest way to stay on track to one is by keeping Reaves paired with Doncic and allowing them to be the one-two punch that leads the organization into the future and hopefully, for the team and its fans, an 18th championship.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, right, passes the ball while under pressure from Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant during the first half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in Los Angeles.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are making a historic statement in the 2026 postseason, maintaining a perfect record after a dominant 125-107 Game 2 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is carving out his own NBA legacy that could include a second championship and league MVP this season, but there is an all-time great standing in his way.

As the NBA season unfolds, the Western Conference is showing unexpected signs of volatility, particularly with the Oklahoma City Thunder experiencing some crucial player injuries. Jalen Williams is sidelined, which is manageable for the team's immediate ...

The defending NBA champion Thunder won all four regular season matchups with the Lakers by an average of nearly 30 points. What do sportsbooks think about the Western Conference Semifinals series?

LeBron James has been one of the best players of the Playoffs, but everyone knows Luka Doncic is the Lakers' main man.