Lakers vs. Thunder NBA playoff predictions, odds, schedule and how to watch

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The 2026 NBA playoffs shift into high gear as the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder prepare to battle the No. 4 seed Los Angeles Lakers in a Western Conference semifinals showdown.

The Thunder remain perfect in first-round action, pushing their record to 12-0 after a commanding sweep of the Phoenix Suns. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continued to shine for the Thunder with his elite scoring, while Chet Holmgren anchored the defense and contributed clutch plays. Oklahoma City’s first-round dominant run also secured a valuable rest period ahead of the matchup with the Lakers.

The Lakers advanced to the second round after a 4-2 series victory over the Houston Rockets. With Luka Doncic sidelined by a Grade 2 hamstring strain, LeBron James continued to show up for the Lakers, including a standout performance in Game 6 with 28 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. Austin Reaves, returning from an oblique injury, also made a major impact, providing crucial offensive contributions when the Lakers needed them most. This marks Los Angeles’s first trip to the second round since 2023, and the team remains optimistic that Doncic could rejoin the lineup if their postseason run continues.

Here’s what you need to know as the Oklahoma City Thunder host the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of the second round of the NBA playoffs.

More: From stars to sixth men, key players to watch in NBA conference semifinals

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder predictions​

USA TODAY Sports: Majority pick Thunder​

• Lorenzo Reyes: Thunder in 5
• Scooby Axson: Thunder in 5
• Mark Giannotto: Thunder in 5
• James H. Williams: Thunder in 5
• Marcus D. Smith: Lakers in 7
• Andrés Soto: Thunder in 6

The Oklahoman: Thunder is better​

Justin Martinez writes: "Just look at how the regular-season meetings between OKC and Los Angeles went. The Thunder is clearly better, and the Lakers have even less of a chance of making this a competitive series with Dončić's availability up in the air. In my eyes, OKC gets the clean sweep in this matchup breakdown."

The Athletic: Majority pick OKC​

• Joel Lorenzi: Thunder in 5
• Doug Haller: Thunder 5
• Dan Woike: Thunder in 6
• William Guillory: Thunder in 5

ESPN: Oklahoma City Thunder​

• Stephen A. Smith: Thunder
• Kendrick Perkins: Thunder
• Quentin Richardson: Thunder

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder odds​

Odds are courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook.

• To win the series: Thunder -2000 / Lakers +950

Game 1 odds:​

• Spread: Thunder -15.5 / Lakers +15.5
• Moneyline: Thunder -1050 / Lakers +675
• Total: 213.5

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder NBA playoffs schedule, TV information​

Here is the complete schedule for the 2026 NBA Western Conference semifinal, second-round playoff series between the Lakers and Thunder.

• Game 1: Lakers at Thunder, May 5, 5:30 p.m., NBC (stream with Peacock)
• Game 2: Lakers at Thunder, May 7, 6:30 p.m. Prime (stream with Prime Video)
• Game 3: Thunder at Lakers, May 9, 5:30 p.m., ABC (stream with FUBO)
• Game 4: Thunder at Lakers, May 11, 7:30 p.m., Prime (stream with Prime Video)
• Game 5: Lakers at Thunder, May 13, TBD (if necessary)
• Game 6: Thunder at Lakers, May 16, TBD (if necessary)
• Game 7: Lakers at Thunder, May 18, TBD (if necessary)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lakers vs. Thunder NBA playoff breakdown with predictions and odds

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