Lakers Dominate Thunder as Luka and LeBron’s Status Uncertain for Rematch
Saturday’s matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. The Lakers rolled into OKC and walked out with a dominant 27-point victory, led by Luka Doncic, who played like he was in rookie mode on a video game. OKC had no answers and never truly got into the game.
Lakers say LeBron James (groin), Luka Doncic (groin), Austin Reaves (ankle), Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle), and Gabe Vincent (knee) are all questionable for tomorrow’s game against OKC.
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) April 7, 2025
Now, with a rematch just 48 hours away, attention has shifted to whether or not Luka Doncic and LeBron James will play again. Both stars are listed as questionable on the official injury report for Tuesday’s game. Doncic is dealing with a groin issue, and LeBron is also listed with a groin concern. Joining them on the list are Austin Reaves (ankle), Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle), and Gabe Vincent (knee), making it uncertain what the Lakers’ lineup will look like.
Even though Doncic’s injury appears to be minor, the team may lean toward caution, especially with the playoffs in view. In Saturday’s game, he dropped 30 points (22 in the first half), grabbed 7 rebounds, handed out 6 assists, and recorded 2 steals—an all-around performance that suggests he’s locked in. However, resting him for load management could be a wise move.
LeBron James, who continues to impress at age 40, contributed 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists in that same game. Afterward, he joked about heading off to record his podcast with Steve Nash—showing just how smooth his transition from court to microphone has become.
On the Thunder’s side, they’re also facing some injury setbacks. Ajay Mitchell (toe), Alex Ducas (quad), and Ousmane Dieng (calf) are confirmed to be out, while Jaylin Williams (ankle) is listed as questionable. Both teams might need to get creative with their rotations in this second clash.
The real spotlight, though, is on Luka Doncic and his ongoing dominance over the Thunder. Even before joining the Lakers, Doncic had built a reputation for torching OKC while with the Mavericks, averaging 26.4 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 8.6 assists per game against them. His Saturday performance simply continued that trend in new colors.
Whether it’s pulling up from deep, slicing through pick-and-rolls, or isolating defenders, Doncic seems to get whatever he wants against Oklahoma City. The Thunder have yet to figure out how to contain him.
With the Lakers winning four of their last five meetings against OKC, momentum clearly favors LA. If Doncic suits up again, Oklahoma may find themselves in another uphill battle. Even if he and LeBron rest, the tone has been set: the Lakers are surging, and the Thunder still haven’t cracked the Luka code.