The Los Angeles Lakers have a solid strategy to defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder in a potential playoff matchup by capitalizing on their defensive improvements and relying on LeBron James and Luka Doncic to counter OKC’s aggressive ball pressure.
NBA insider Mike Trudell explained how the Lakers’ strengths could expose the Thunder’s vulnerabilities. Despite OKC’s dominant regular-season performance, their style may not translate as effectively in the playoffs.
“The way I see the matchup, OKC is built to be a dominant regular-season team because of their depth. All 12 players they use are solid defensive contributors.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander powers OKC’s offense as a top-tier scorer and playmaker. When help defense arrives, he finds open teammates, making them nearly unbeatable in the regular season. However, Trudell notes that OKC’s starting unit, while strong, isn’t as invincible as their record suggests.
A key factor in the matchup is OKC’s relentless ball pressure. But Trudell highlights that LeBron James and Luka Doncic are two of the few players in the NBA who are unaffected by this style. Both stars can back down defenders, force double teams, and create open shots for teammates.
Defensively, the Lakers could apply the same aggressive tactics they used against Nikola Jokic to pressure Shai. OKC lacks proven offensive initiators beyond Shai, leaving questions about whether Chet Holmgren or Jalen Williams can carry the load in a playoff setting.
OKC’s regular-season dominance stems from their depth and defense, anchored by Holmgren and Alex Caruso. Their league-best defensive rating of 106.0 and historic net rating of 12.5 reflect their consistency. However, their rim protection remains a concern, especially if the Lakers attack the paint consistently.
The Lakers have perfected a defensive scheme that allows weaker shooters like Luguentz Dort and Cason Wallace to take shots while locking down primary threats. By forcing OKC’s role players to beat them, the Lakers can neutralize one of their key offensive strengths.
If the Lakers use drives from LeBron, Luka, and Austin Reaves to collapse the defense, they can generate high-quality looks and wear down OKC’s defense over a series. This strategy, combined with the Lakers’ defensive resurgence, makes them a formidable challenge for the Thunder in the postseason.
Though OKC’s regular-season success is undeniable, the playoffs favor teams with star power, adjustments, and execution—three areas where the Lakers excel. By following Trudell’s blueprint, the Lakers could emerge as a serious contender for a deep playoff run.
