Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is preparing for what might be his toughest battle since the 2020 NBA Championship run, and that is the Western Conference Semifinals series against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder are the best team in basketball, the reigning champs with the reigning MVP and are massive favorites to defeat the Lakers.
Beating the Thunder would require many different things to go in L.A.’s direction, especially as Luka Doncic remains sidelined with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain. James knows this, and discussed how the Lakers can stay competitive and give themselves a chance to win games.
“It’s the same approach as last series. I mean, we’re undermanned and we’re the underdog and we understand that,” James said on the latest episode of “Mind the Game” podcast.
“So to heighten that even more, by like five, because of their ability, what they bring to the table. They’re one of the most historic basketball teams offensively and defensively that our league has seen. And they got one of the most efficient players in our league history. And he’s probably gonna be the MVP again. So, we cannot shortcut the details.
“In order for us to give ourselves a chance to win games, we cannot shortcut the details in the game plan. We know we can’t stop everything. It’s impossible, they’re that great. But if we can control the controllables, which is another one of not turning the ball over because we know how great they are when it comes to pick-sixes and how handsy they are and the athleticism and speed that they play with.
“We can give ourselves a chance, and that’s all you can ask for in the postseason, is a chance to compete to win games.”
Here, James is very resolute in the fact that the Lakers are not supposed to win this series. However, the Lakers weren’t supposed to win the first round series against the Houston Rockets either, and they did in six games with James leading the way.
Like in every series, there is a path to victory. And for James, that path involves staying composed, limiting turnovers and staying afloat to give themselves a chance to compete in late-game situations.
LeBron James surprised to still be leading Lakers
It’s 2026 and James is still the No. 1 option for the Lakers as they enter the second round of the NBA playoffs. At age 41 in his 23rd season, everything about this is unprecedented. Even James is surprised and said that his 33-year-old self would not have believed that he is still doing this.
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