Oklahoma City Thunder star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said he is already studying the ongoing first-round matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets while his team prepares for the Western Conference Semifinals.
Oklahoma City clinched its spot in the second round on Monday, April 28, 2026, completing a 4-0 sweep of the Phoenix Suns. With the Thunder idle until the next series begins, Gilgeous-Alexander told reporters he has been watching “all of the Lakers and Houston series” to evaluate each club’s strengths and weaknesses.
Los Angeles leads Houston 3-1 but absorbed a lopsided loss in Game 4 at Toyota Center. Game 5 is scheduled for Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena, where the Lakers will try to avoid a historic collapse and close out the series in front of their home crowd.
The Thunder enter the next round seeking to become the first team to win back-to-back NBA championships since the 2017-18 Golden State Warriors. Gilgeous-Alexander, widely viewed as the front-runner for a second consecutive Most Valuable Player award, acknowledged that game-planning will vary depending on whether Oklahoma City faces the Lakers or the Rockets.
If Los Angeles advances, the club could receive key reinforcements. Guard Austin Reaves, sidelined since April 2 with a Grade 2 left oblique strain, was listed as questionable for Games 3 and 4 and remains a possibility for Game 5. The Lakers may also regain guard Luka Dončić, who has been out with an undisclosed issue.
While the Thunder devote early attention to both possible opponents, the Lakers and Rockets remain focused on extending—or ending—their first-round battle.
Source: Lakers Nation
