To no one's surprise: the Phoenix Suns did not set themselves up to be the first team to come back from a 3-0 deficit in NBA history. On Monday night, the Oklahoma City Thunder closed them out in a competitive 131-122 contest during Game 4 to complete the sweep. Just like that, the Los Angeles Lakers' second-round opponent is waiting on them to finish their own series.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has wasted no time in readying himself for what is to come. After Game 4, SGA revealed in the postgame interview that both the Lakers and Houston Rockets have been the subject of his intrigue.
"I've already been watching all of the Laker-Houston series. Just continue to do so, watch both teams, see their strengths and weaknesses."
If Gilgeous-Alexander has been paying attention, he would know that the Lakers are the likely opponent as of now, holding a commanding 3-1 series lead. That did not stop the Thunder superstar from outlining the difference in what can be expected from both his potential matchups in the second round at the postgame press conference.
"It'll either be the Lakers or Houston. Each pose their challenges. Houston is more defensive and the Lakers are more offensive. But they're both really good teams, and to make it out that series, you have to do a lot of things right. So we won't take them lightly."
Thunder wanted Lakers to know the defending champs are more than ready
The Suns never really posed a true challenge for the Thunder. While some of the games were closer than others, it was pretty clear that Oklahoma City was never ultimately bothered by their first-round opponent.
Even losing Jalen Williams to a hamstring injury did not slow down the Thunder. The brooms were out all the same.
The MVP candidate speaking about his readiness and film study had himself an incredible series in the first round. Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 33.8 points, shooting 55.1 percent from the field, 3.8 rebounds, and 8.0 assists in just 35.7 minutes per game during the four-game sweep.
All of that is to say: a daunting challenge will clearly be awaiting the Lakers for when business is wrapped up against the Rockets. Granted, Los Angeles never really needed a reintroduction to Oklahoma City.
This is the team against whom their campaign temporarily unraveled. The injuries to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves both came against the Thunder on April 2. It has not even been a full month since that brutal date in the 2025-26 campaign for the Lakers.
Luckily for Los Angeles, they have managed against the Rockets without Reaves and Doncic thus far. Bonus: there should be a healthy expectation of getting both star guards back for the second round.
However, that is where things turn uncomfortable. Doncic and Reaves should not be expected back at 100 percent when that second-round series begins. Even if they were, the Thunder have proven they can beat the brakes off them regardless.
With OKC already saddled up and waiting, the Lakers know the challenge that awaits beyond the Rockets. SGA and company will test all their limitations.
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