Overview
- The defending champion Thunder opened the Western semifinal with a 108-90 win over the Lakers and are unbeaten through five playoff games after sweeping the Suns.
- Luguentz Dort has leaned into a 'villain' label and is known for heavy contact and persistent hand-checks on top scorers.
- Robert Horry urged the Lakers to keep flagging Dort’s hand-checks to officials rather than trying to match his physical style.
- Heightened scrutiny follows incidents that included a flagrant for tripping Nikola Jokic and a leg-out play that briefly sent Devin Booker to the bench.
- Jalen Williams’ availability was reported as uncertain for upcoming games, a variable that could reshape Oklahoma City’s wing rotation.