Lakers-Thunder Rematch Carries Different Vibe After L.A. Injuries

Los Angeles faces Oklahoma City again after losing key players Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves to injuries.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 1:49am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game between the Lakers and Thunder, with the players and court broken down into overlapping angular shapes and planes in vibrant colors.The Lakers and Thunder's rematch carries a different tone after injuries to key L.A. players, setting the stage for a high-stakes Western Conference clash.Denver Today

When the Los Angeles Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder faced off on Thursday, it was a matchup between the top team in the Western Conference and the defending champions. However, the rematch on Tuesday will have a much different feel, as the Lakers have lost key players Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves to injuries. The Lakers are now trying to find a new rotation and rhythm, while the Thunder have been on a hot streak, winning 17 of their last 18 games.

Why it matters

The Lakers' injuries to Doncic and Reaves are a significant blow to their playoff hopes, as they are now trying to hold onto the third seed in the West. Meanwhile, the Thunder are surging and looking to clinch the top overall record in the NBA, making this rematch an important game in the Western Conference standings.

The details

Doncic suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain in the third quarter of the Lakers' 139-96 loss to the Thunder on Thursday, and he will be out through at least the end of the regular season. Reaves also sustained an oblique injury in that game and is out until the postseason. The Lakers have struggled to find a new rotation, starting a group of five players who had never been on the floor together in their loss to the Mavericks on Sunday. Over the past two games, the Lakers have been outscored 85-51 in the first quarter.

  • The Lakers and Thunder first faced off on Thursday, April 6, 2026.
  • The rematch is scheduled for Tuesday, April 11, 2026.

The players

Luka Doncic

The Lakers' star player who suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain and will be out through at least the end of the regular season.

Austin Reaves

The Lakers' guard who sustained an oblique injury and is also out until the postseason.

JJ Redick

The Lakers' head coach who has been trying to find a new rotation after the injuries to Doncic and Reaves.

Mark Daigneault

The Thunder's head coach who has led his team to a 17-1 record over their last 18 games.

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What they’re saying

“We've got to be able to get stops. That's the biggest thing.”

— JJ Redick, Lakers Head Coach

“It's kind of a bell curve: You have great games, you have some bad ones, and then you have a bunch in the middle. And what dictates how good you are in the middle of the bell curve is your habits. And so, that's what we tend to focus on.”

— Mark Daigneault, Thunder Head Coach

What’s next

The Lakers will try to hold onto the third seed in the Western Conference as they face the surging Thunder again on Tuesday. Oklahoma City is looking to clinch the top overall record in the NBA.

The takeaway

The Lakers' injuries to key players Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves have significantly altered the dynamics of their rematch with the Thunder, who have been on a hot streak. Los Angeles is now trying to find a new rotation and rhythm, while Oklahoma City is in position to potentially clinch the top seed in the West.