Marcus Smart Stays Upbeat After Lakers’ 18-Point Game 1 Defeat to Thunder
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Oklahoma City, OK – Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart said he remains “very” confident in his team despite an 18-point loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal series on May 5 at Paycom Center.
The Lakers, heavy underdogs against the defending NBA champions, trailed by single digits through three quarters before the Thunder pulled away late. Smart attributed the swing to breakdowns in the Lakers’ scouting report.
“We had a game plan and a few times we didn’t do exactly what we were supposed to do,” Smart said after the game. “They made us pay for it.”
Los Angeles played without injured star Luka Doncic and therefore had “very little room for error,” Smart acknowledged. Even so, he pointed to early-game execution and defensive efforts that limited reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to 101–105 Thunder points until the closing minutes.
“We’re playing the defending champs; it’s gonna be tough,” Smart added. “We just can’t let that derail us. I’m very positive about our game plan.”
Improving guard Austin Reaves’ efficiency is among the Lakers’ priorities after he shot 3-for-16 in the series opener. Smart believes getting Reaves “back in his groove” and welcoming injured players back will boost the club’s chances.
Doncic, sidelined since the first round, said his original timetable projects a return in roughly three weeks, leaving his availability for this series uncertain.
Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday in Oklahoma City.
Source: Lakers Nation
