Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Thunder-Lakers Western Semifinal Opens Tuesday in Oklahoma City

Heavy odds back Oklahoma City after a lopsided regular season plus uncertainty over Luka Dončić’s return.

Overview

  • The series starts Tuesday, May 5, in Oklahoma City, with Game 1 on NBC and Peacock.
  • Oklahoma City swept Phoenix in Round 1 and went 4-0 against Los Angeles in the regular season with a 29.3-point average margin, the widest for any playoff matchup on record.
  • The Lakers say Luka Dončić will miss the start of the series due to a hamstring strain, while Thunder wing Jalen Williams is questionable with a left hamstring strain.
  • Betting markets and most experts favor the Thunder, with BetMGM pricing Oklahoma City at -2000 to win the series.
  • Games follow an every-other-day cadence between the two cities with broadcasts spread across NBC, ABC/ESPN, Peacock, and Prime Video.