The Los Angeles Lakers look to continue their underdog playoff run when they take on defending champion Oklahoma City in Game 1 of their Western Conference Semifinal.
The Lakers are still without Luca Doncic for the foreseeable future, and while they are optimistic he can return later in the series, they’ll have to start it without him. Oklahoma City, meanwhile, looked as dominant as it was supposed to in a first-round sweep of Phoenix where it won every game by double digits.
The Thunder are a heavy favorite in this game and in this series as the teams fight for a berth in the Western Conference Finals.
What time is the Lakers game today?
The Los Angeles Lakers at Oklahoma City Thunder Game 1 is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. MDT/7:30 p.m. CDT Tuesday, May 5. The game at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City will be nationally televised on NBC.
Where to watch Lakers vs Thunder?
Game 1 of the Lakers-Thunder series will be televised nationally on NBC at 6:30 p.m. MDT/7:30 p.m. CDT Tuesday, May 5, in Oklahoma City.
Lakers vs Thunder playoff schedule, TV information
Lakers injury report
Luka Doncic is out indefinitely with a Grade 2 hamstring strain and has already been ruled out for Game 1. Officially is status is week-to-week with the Lakers hoping he can return at some point in this series.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder series score
This is the first game in the best-of-seven series.
Thunder injury report
Jalen Williams (left hamstring strain) and Thomas Sorber (right ACL surgical recovery) are out. Williams is week-to-week after getting injured in Game 2 of the first-round series with Phoenix.
Who does Lakers-Thunder winner play next?
The winner of this series will play the winner of the San Antonio Spurs-Minnesota Timberwolves series in the Western Conference Finals.
Lakers vs. Thunder odds
From BetMGM.com
Game 1: Thunder -13 1/2. Over/under 213 1/2. Moneyline: Oklahoma City Thunder -900, Los Angeles Lakers +575.
Lakers vs Thunder prediction
Odds Trader: Thunder 112, Lakers 101
The site predicts that Oklahoma City will get an 11-point win over Los Angeles in the first game of the NBA playoff series.
Sports Betting Dime: Thunder 118.1, Lakers 111.2
The site predicts that the Thunder will win, but it is taking the Lakers with the points in Game 1. It has the point total going over.
ESPN: Thunder have a 79.5% chance to beat Lakers in Game 1
The site gives Los Angeles a 20.5% shot at defeating Oklahoma City in the first game of the NBA playoff series.
Dimers: Thunder 114, Lakers 100
It writes: “After extensive simulations, our model gives the Lakers a win probability of 11%, while the Thunder have a win probability of 89%.”
Vegas Odds: Bet the Thunder to cover vs Lakers in Game 1
It writes: “The Lakers are very limited offensively, with LeBron the only one in solid form right now. Therefore, OKC’s high-tempo, efficient basketball will break LAL and cover the spread, sending a strong message in Game 1.”
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Is Luka coming back? Injury report for Lakers vs. Thunder in Game 1
Reporting by Bret Bloomquist, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
