Mar 30, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Kyle Leahy (62) pitches against the New York Mets during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
The St. Louis Cardinals will begin one of the most important early season series as their NL central rivals Milwaukee Brewers come to town. Kyle Leahy (3-3, 5.52 ERA, 22 SO) will get the ball for the St. Louis Cardinals while those dastardly Brewers will start Chad Patrick (2-1, 2.57 ERA, 16 SO). First pitch is scheduled for 6:45pm in Busch Stadium Monday night.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 03: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros catches a fly ball hit by Caleb Durbin #5 of the Boston Red Sox during the sixth inning at Fenway Park on May 03, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images
TONIGHT’S GAME: The Houston Astros (14-21) will wear their City Connect uniforms tonight as they welcome in the rival Los Angeles Dodgers (21-13) for the first game of a three-game series at Daikin Park.
Veteran reliever LHP Steven Okert (0-0, 4.20 ERA) will get the start for the Astros as an opener tonight opposite the Dodgers RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (2-2, 2.87 ERA).
TONIGHT’S STARTER: LHP Steven Okert, a nine-year MLB veteran, will be making his fifth Major League start as an opener and his second as an Astro (also, Aug. 5, 2025 at MIA).
The often-used lefty reliever had made 17 relief appearances in 2026, which ranks tied for fourth in the AL.
VS. THE DODGERS: The Astros and Dodgers will forever be connected by the 2017 World Series, which was won by Houston in a thrilling seven games. Since that 2017 season began, the Astros and Dodgers have been the two top clubs in baseball, in terms of regular season wins and playoff wins.
Since the 2017 World Series, the Astros are 11-9 against the Dodgers in the regular season and have won six of the last seven games.
In their last meeting, the Astros swept the Dodgers in a three-game series at Dodger Stadium (July 4-6, 2025), outscoring the Dodgers 29-6 in the three games.
PLAYER OF THE MONTH!: Announced earlier today, OF Yordan Alvarez was named the AL Player of the Month for March/April for his third career AL Player of the Month Award.
For the months of March and April, Alvarez batted .356 (42×118) with nine doubles, 12 home runs, 27 RBI, 21 walks, 25 runs scored and a 1.199 OPS (.462 OBP/.737 SLG).
MILB PLAYERS OF THE MONTH: Earlier today, the Astros named RHP Brandon McPherson and C Jason Schiavone the Astros Minor League Pitcher and Player of the Month for April.
McPherson, 26, went 0-1 with a 3.24 ERA (6ER/16.2IP) in four starts in April with Double A Corpus Christi.
Schiavone, 23, hit nine home runs and recorded 23 RBI, with 22 walks, seven stolen bases and a 1.050 OPS in 20 games in April with High A Asheville.
HIT PARADE: The Astros, who lead the AL in batting average (.269), have reached double-figures in hits in each of the last six games, hitting .316 (71×225) in that span.
The last time the Astros reached double-figures in hits in six straight games was Aug. 6-12, 2024. The club record is eight straight games, done several times (last, June 1018, 2018).
Yesterday marked the 17th game in which Houston reached double figures in hits in 2026.
TODAY’S ROSTER MOVES: The Astros have recalled OF Zach Cole and designated OF Daniel Johnson for assignment.
Additionally, the club has reinstated OF Zach Dezenzo from the Injured List and optioned him to Triple A Sugar Land.
FROM THE TRAINER’S ROOM: The Astros have 13 players on the Major League IL.
• RHP Ronel Blanco (rt. elbow surgery) continues his bullpen progression in West Palm Beach.
• RHP Hunter Brown (rt. shoulder sprain) is progressing through his throwing program and is now up to throwing from 120 ft.
• RHP Tatsuya Imai (rt. arm fatigue) is scheduled to make his second rehab start tomorrow at Triple A.
• RHP Cristian Javier (rt. shoulder strain) will begin a throwing progression this week.
• LHP Josh Hader (lt. biceps tendinitis) is scheduled to make his first minor league rehab appearance this week at Triple A Sugar Land.
• RHP Nate Pearson (rt. elbow surgery) is scheduled to make his third minor league rehab appearance tomorrow at Triple A Sugar Land.
• LHP Brandon Walter (lt. elbow surgery) continues his throwing progression this week in West Palm Beach.
• RHP Hayden Wesneski (rt. elbow surgery) continues his bullpen progression in West Palm Beach.
• IF Nick Allen (mid-back spasms) played in two minor league rehab games over the weekend at Double A Corpus Christi, going 2×7 with a double and two RBI.
• OF Joey Loperfido (rt. quad strain) has started light running and light baseball activity.
• OF Jake Meyers (rt. oblique strain) has started swinging a bat and doing running and throwing activities.
• SS Jeremy Peña (rt. hamstring strain) continued baseball activity in Boston over the weekend. He continues to increase the intensity of his workouts.
• OF Taylor Trammell (left groin strain) has begun a running progression and light baseball activity.
THE ORDER: The Astros have used 35 different batting orders in their 35 games so far this season. Only LF Yordan Alvarez has started every game in the same spot in the lineup (second).
WALKER, TEXAS HAMMER:Christian Walker is hitting .426 (20×51) in his last 12 games (since April 20) with four homers and 10 RBI.
For the season, Walker ranks tied for fourth in the AL in RBI (26), fifth in SLG (.579) and sixth in OPS (.975).
CLIMBING THE CHARTS: With 238 career homers as a second baseman, Jose Altuve needs one more to tie Lou Whitaker for seventh place all-time in MLB history among second basemen.
Altuve also needs three RBI to become the fifth player in franchise history to reach 900.
TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 1975 – Astros great 1B Bob Watson makes history, as he scores the 1,000,000th run in Major League history in Game 1 of an Astros doubleheader in San Francisco.
He crosses the plate at approx. 12:32 p.m. in the afternoon, scoring from second base on a three-run homer by C Milt May. The Astros lose the opener, 8-6.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Monday, May 4, 7:10 p.m. CT
Location: Daikin Park, Houston, TX
TV: Space City Home Network
Streaming: SCHN+
Radio: KTRH 740 AM, KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
Feb 11, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) drives against Philadelphia 76ers guard Kelly Oubre Jr. (9) and forward Marjon Beauchamp (16) during the first half at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Tonight, the third-seed New York Knicks host the seventh-seed Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden for Game One of the Eastern Conference semifinals. A strong Knicks start could shape the series, while the Sixers look to grab a road win in hostile territory. Our heroes enter as roughly seven-point favorites, buoyed by their superior regular-season record, home-court edge, and deeper rotation. Aside from Joel Embiid’s sore hip, both teams are at full strength. Let’s get ready to rumble!
Game’s at 8 p.m. EST on NBC and Peacock. This is your game thread. This is Liberty Ballers. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Be good ambassadors of humanity. And go Knicks!
Lakers center Deandre Ayton shoots over Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason in Game 5 at Crypto.com Arena on April 29. The Lakers hope Ayton can deliver against the Thunder like he did against the Rockets. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers center Deandre Ayton bounced across the court after practice Monday wearing all black, his chains swaying, his mood jovial as he approached the media to talk about his role in the Western Conference semifinals.
"Everything has been pretty solid, just staying in my role and just doing more in my role," Ayton said. "This is the playoffs, so everybody can do more, everybody has another level. And this is the second round coming in, so I think we all deserve that little bit of increase of confidence from what we’ve done so far and the outcome from the adversity we’ve faced.
"I feel like that’s where we are right now and I think that’s what’s motivating me, as well, coming into these games. Just seeing, listening and being dialed in and seeing the results of it."
There were times Ayton was a force against the Houston Rockets in the first round. He had double figures in rebounds in four of the six games and had three double-doubles in the series. He averaged 11.8 points and his 10.8 rebounds are third-best in the postseason.
"DA's had a great season,” Redick said. “He was instrumental in us getting past Houston. I think his baseline of who he is every day for the last two, two-and-a-half months has been awesome. And I know his teammates, certainly the staff, we've all embraced him all season long. Again, he's the person that changes our ceiling the most."
Both Ayton and Marcus Smart came to the Lakers last summer, giving them a much-needed center and a defensive-minded guard. Smart said he didn’t know Ayton before they became teammates, but the two of them have bonded.
Lakers teammates Marcus Smart, left, and Deandre Ayton celebrate during Game 6 against the Houston Rockets on May 1. (Kenneth Richmond / Getty Images)
They sit next to each other in the locker room and Smart is the first to always encourage Ayton, to push him, to expect more out of him.
“Not his big brother, but I'm just somebody who he respects,” Smart said. “He sees [me] go out there and not only preaching, I'm actually doing what I'm preaching. I'm not just preaching, I'm out there with him, in the midst of it, battling with him, going through adversity with him, right? I think that drives a lot of respect for one another in that aspect, when you're going to battle with somebody. You’re struggling while they're struggling right there with you, trying to help you get through yours.”
The 7-foot Ayton will be going up against 7-1 Chet Holmgren and 7-foot Isaiah Hartenstein. Holmgren averaged 17.3 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in the first round and Hartenstein averaged 11.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.0 blocks.
Ayton will have to hold his own against them and still be the force the Lakers have leaned on in the postseason.
“Playing bigger. ... Just being relentless on the glass, you know, protecting the rim as much as possible and not letting them in my paint,” Ayton said. “It's gonna be big with me protecting that paint in this series. They really generate and touch the paint. ... Them having 50-plus points in the paint, you know they're a really unstoppable team. So, I'm really just looking forward to protecting the paint as best as I can and staying on the floor as long as possible. That's about it.”
Being on the road and in a hostile environment is something that Ayton also is looking forward to. He knows the crowd in Oklahoma City is like a college atmosphere and that he and the Lakers can’t get rattled.
“Yeah, you can't hear yourself,” Ayton said. “It's definitely the ‘Thunder’ for a reason, you know? Their fans are thunderous. You know, you can hear the floor shaking, the bleachers, you can't even hear a play call. And you gotta be super dialed in.
"They're the defending champs and you know their fans have been in atmospheres and hype games and you know they’re ready for their team to do their thing. So, we just gotta come in super prepared and just dial out all the noise and just come in and play together.”
Detroit lost in the first round a year ago. This season, the Pistons had the best record in the Eastern Conference at 60-22 and on Sunday defeated Orlando 116-94 to close out a playoff series victory for the first time since 2008.
In the fall of 2024, Bickerstaff took over a Pistons franchise that had posted the NBA's worst record in each of the previous two seasons, including a 14-68 record in 2023-24.
Before Bickerstaff arrived, Detroit finished with the worst record in the NBA in consecutive seasons.
Detroit opens a second-round playoff series at home on Tuesday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers — a team Bickerstaff coached from the end of the 2019-2020 season through the 2023-24 campaign.
It was Juan Soto’s first leadoff appearance since May 30, 2021, with the Nationals.
During his Mets tenure, Soto has hit almost exclusively in the No. 2 hole.
“It’s something I have been thinking about the last few days with a lot of players on the injured list,” Mendoza said before the Mets faced the Rockies at Coors Field. “It just got to the point, watching how teams use their bullpen — not so much Juan, but the guys behind him — is forcing us to make decisions a lot earlier in games.”
Juan Soto swings during the Mets’ May 4 game against the Rockies. AP
Bichette slid to No. 2 with Soto’s elevation to leadoff.
Mendoza broached the subject with Soto on Sunday and was encouraged that Soto bought into the idea.
Mendoza began his pregame media session by remembering former Yankees radio voice John Sterling, who died at age 87.
Mendoza formed a relationship with Sterling during his years as a Yankees coach.
“When I got the job here, he was one of the first phone calls I received,” Mendoza said. “I created a very good relationship with him and he will be missed.”
A.J. Minter is expected to pitch back-to-back starting Wednesday for Triple-A Syracuse to conclude his minor league rehab assignment.
Mendoza was unsure if the lefty reliever would rejoin the team in Arizona or wait until the Mets return home before being activated from the injured list.
Minter hasn’t pitched for the Mets since April of last season after undergoing lat surgery.
Mendoza indicated he selected Huascar Brazobán over Tobias Myers as Monday’s opener against the Rockies based on workload.
Brazobán pitched one inning Saturday against the Angels.
Myers pitched 2 ²/₃ innings in the same game.
Carl Edwards Jr. was outrighted to Syracuse and elected free agency rather than accept a minor league assignment.
The 2026 NBA playoffs quickly became a battle of attrition. The number of significant injuries that loom over the start of the league's four conference semifinals are proof enough.
It's not clear yet when NBA star Jalen Williams will return from injury after missing games in the Thunder's first-round series. Anthony Edwards, meanwhile, hopes to get back on the floor for the Timberwolves sooner rather than later following a hyperextension and bone bruise on his left knee that kept him out of Minnesota's final two games of their series against the Nuggets.
The injury intrigue adds to the drama with only eight teams left in pursuit of an NBA championship. Some of the league's marquee names and role players under the spotlight when the second round of the playoffs begins on Monday, May 4.
Here's one star player and one role player from each remaining team whose performance (or availability) could swing their team's fortunes during the second round of the 2026 NBA playoffs:
NBA playoffs 2026: Conference semifinals players to watch
USA TODAY Sports tabbed one star player and one role player from each team remaining in the 2026 NBA playoffs whose contributions could swing their respective teams' conference semifinals series.
Luka Doncic: The availability and effectiveness of the Lakers' star is likely the key to them being competitive in the series. Doncic hasn't played in a game since injuring his hamstring in an April 2 game against the Thunder.
Jalen Williams: The Thunder breezed past the Phoenix Suns in the first round despite a hamstring injury to Williams. His status for the start of this series remains uncertain.
Marcus Smart: Assuming Austin Reaves regains his 3-point stroke, Smart's two-way presence looms large. He could be a primary defender on Shai Gilgeious-Alexander and called upon to hit 3-pointers in crunch time.
Alex Caruso: He's a defensive weapon off the bench for the Thunder with a history of raising his level of play in the postseason. He can be deployed on Doncic or Reaves depending on the situation.
Anthony Edwards: When Edwards returns from the knee injury he suffered during the first round, and how limited he is upon getting back on the court, looms over the entire series.
Victor Wembanyama: The Spurs only loss in the first round came in Game 3 when Wembanyama sat out due to concussion protocol.
Rudy Gobert: His defense on Nikola Jokic helped spur the Timberwolves to a first-round upset of the Denver Nuggets. Now Gobert is tasked with making life more difficult on Wembanyama, his countryman from France.
Dylan Harper: No Spurs player had a better NET rating than Harper during their first-round series against Portland.
Joel Embiid: The version of Embiid that played the final four games of the 76ers' first-round series win over the Celtics, combined with Tyrese Maxey and Paul George, make Philadelphia a serious threat in this matchup. But will Embiid's body hold up?
Jalen Brunson: The Knicks series against the Hawks swung in Game 5 when Brunson produced a 39-point gem, and he's two years removed from averaging 35.5 points and nine assists in a playoff series win.
Mikal Bridges: He was mostly a non-factor in the first round, but came alive for 24 points in a Game 6 blowout over the Hawks. Bridges should factor heavily in the Knicks' strategy for slowing down Maxey.
VJ Edgecombe: The 76ers' rookie served as a barometer for Philadelphia in the first round. He shot 50% from the field (including 45% from 3-point range) in the team's four wins. He shot 30.2% (and went 0-for-16 from 3-point range) in three losses to Boston.
Jalen Duren: The Pistons struggled to get past the Magic in the first round, in part, because Duren hardly resembled the player who blossomed into a dominating big man this season. Maybe a 15-point, 15-rebound double-double in Game 7 was a good sign because the Cavaliers won't be as forgiving as the Magic if Duren falters again.
Donovan Mitchell: The Cavaliers needed a Game 7 to beat the Raptors because Mitchell shot 38.8% from the field and less than 28% from 3-point range over the final five games of the series. Cleveland will need his shot-making against Detroit's rugged defense.
Daniss Jenkins: Cade Cunningham needs more help on offense than Tobias Harris for the Pistons to win this series, and Jenkins showed in Game 7 by making four of his five 3-pointers against the Magic that he could be the role player to provide it.
Jarrett Allen: His third-quarter outburst in Game 7 pushed Cleveland past Toronto. The Pistons might not have the firepower inside to combat both Evan Mobley and an inspired Allen.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 27: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on February 27, 2024 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
With the first round complete, these are going to be the matchups for the second round of the playoffs.
Game 5: Minnesota at San Antonio | Tuesday May 12*
Game 6: San Antonio at Minnesota | Friday May 15*
Game 7: Minnesota at San Antonio | Sunday May 17*
My Predictions
Eastern Conference
Cleveland Cavaliers in 7
New York Knicks in 6
Western Conference
Los Angeles Lakers in 6
San Antonio Spurs in 7.
If you want to discuss anything, you can do so below. I will update this thread as the semi-final round continues. Have at it in the comments below.
When I am not posting ridiculous trades on here you can find me talking about Nintendo, LGBT content, music, and the Lakers on my Twitter. You can follow Alexis on Twitter at @BeautifulShy_RSand on BlueSky at @msshyskye.bsky.social.
CINCINNATI (AP) — Adrian “Odie” Smith, whose Hall of Fame basketball career included a college national title with Kentucky, a gold medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics and a 10-year stint in the NBA, has died at age 89.
Smith died on April 28th, the University of Kentucky said in a statement. There was no word on how or where Smith died.
Smith played for the Cincinnati Royals (now the Sacramento Kings) from the 1961-62 NBA season until the 1969-70 season, when he was traded to the San Francisco (now Golden State) Warriors.
The 6-foot-1 guard, who was named MVP of the 1966 NBA All-Star game, also played one season in the ABA with the Virginia Squires, finishing his pro career as a teammate of then-rookie Julius “Dr. J” Erving.
Smith grew up in rural Graves County, Kentucky, in a farmhouse without electricity or indoor plumbing. His path to profession basketball began with him tossing a homemade ball through a peach basket nailed to a tree.
His college career began at Northeast Mississippi Junior College, where his coach persuaded a Kentucky assistant to watch him, resulting in a scholarship offer from the Wildcats.
Smith played two seasons for Kentucky, averaging 10.2 points, and was one of the “Fiddlin’ Five” who brought the Wildcats a 1958 national title.
Smith served in the U.S. Army and was selected for the U.S. men's national team for 1960 Olympic Games. A year later, he began his NBA career alongside Oscar Robertson in Cincinnati.
Smith was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010 along with the gold medal-winning 1960 U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team.
Smith is survived by his son, Tyler, and his brother, Kenny.
SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 29: Michael Wacha #52 of the Kansas City Royals pitches during the game between the Kansas City Royals and the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Don Collier/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The 15-19 Royals, who are now fourth in the AL Central, welcome the division-leading (well…tied with Detroit) 18-17 Cleveland Guardians to Kansas City for a four-game series. The Royals are fresh off a sweep of the Seattle Mariners and, with a good series here, can strengthen their position within the division. The Guardians took 2 of 3 from the Athletics over the weekend and have a tenuous at best position to hold that. A four-game sweep would go a long way here.
With that, the Royals will put Michael Wacha on the mound to start. Over 37 and 1/3 innings and 6 starts, Wacha seems more or less the same guy he’s been for the past several years with the Royals, though it’s been imbalanced. His first four starts were quite good, while his last two were….not. Wacha has already faced Cleveland this season back on April 6th. He threw seven innings of one-run ball. I’d take that again.
The Guardians start Tanner Bibee, who also has pitched to about the same stats as usual, which is roughly league average. Bibee started that same game on April 6th in which Wacha was the Royals pitcher. He also gave up one run but threw only 4 and 2/3 innings. The Royals won that game on the back of homers from Jensen and India.
Perhaps the main change from that last game is that 2024 first overall pick Travis Bazzana is now playing for the Guardians. He has walked 6 times in 22 plate appearances for a 27% walk rate (he also has 1 intentional walk). Otherwise, he does not yet have an extra base hit.
For the offense, the Royals will have Jensen at catcher today and Kyle Isbel gets the day off. I’m not 100% clear why; Bibee is a right-hander, and Isbel is a left-handed hitter. Lane Thomas, a right-handed hitter, starts in CF. In the wake of India’s injury, the Royals will use Nick Loftin to plug the 2B hole.
The game starts at 6:40pm US Central time. You can watch on Royals.tv or listen via 96.5 The Fan or the Royals Radio Network.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Philadelphia Flyers forward Owen Tippett and Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin will miss Monday's Game 2 of the second-round series in the NHL playoffs.
Coach Rick Tocchet said before Monday's game that Tippett would be considered a gametime decision for Thursday's Game 3. He's dealing with an undisclosed injury.
Tippett had a team-best 28 goals to go with 23 assists in the regular season, then had one goal and one assist in the six-game series against Pittsburgh that marked Philadelphia’s first postseason appearance since 2020.
Tippett, who brings needed speed to the lineup, skated Sunday. But he spent part of that session working with goalie Aleksei Kolosov at one end of the ice while the rest of the team worked at the other end.
As for the Hurricanes, Nikishin took warmups before being scratched. He's recovering from a concussion on a jarring hit in a Game 4 win at Ottawa on April 25 that clinched a first-round sweep,
Nikishin has been skating in practices but coach Rod Brind'Amour said he didn't play Game 1 after he didn't feel quite right. Veteran Mike Reilly drew in and had two assists in Game 1.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 21: Cade Smith #36 and Bo Naylor #23 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrate after defeating the Houston Astros 8-5 at Progressive Field on April 21, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Russell Lee Verlinger/Cleveland Guardians/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Los Angeles Lakers know what they're up against.
"You want me to compare us to them? That's a championship team right there. We're not," LeBron James said of the Thunder after they beat the Lakers in February.
"I said to a bunch of people yesterday off site talking about this series, to me, the Thunder is one of the greatest teams ever in NBA history," Lakers coach JJ Redick said on Sunday, via Dan Woike of The Athletic. "It's just the reality. They're that good. I think our guys recognize that and respect that, and we know what kind of task we have in front of us."
Oklahoma City is the defending champion, with the reigning (and soon to be repeat) MVP, they have been the title favorites since before the season tipped off, showed no sign of a championship hangover and went out and won 64 games this season (the best record in the league), with the best defense in the NBA and a top-10 offense.
Not only did the Thunder sweep the season series from the Lakers, but they also won the four games by an average of 32.3 points. The gap between these teams was clear.
Can the Lakers pull off another upset? Do they need Luka Doncic to do that, and when might he return? We get into all of that in this preview.
When does the Lakers vs. Thunder begin?
Game 1 between the Los Angeles Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder is set for 8:30 ET on Tuesday, May 5, at the Paycom Center in the heart of OKC. The game will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock.
Los Angeles vs. Oklahoma City Playoffs Schedule 2026
All times are Eastern (* = if necessary). Game 1: Los Angeles at Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May 5 (8:30 ET, NBC and Peacock) Game 2: Los Angeles at Oklahoma City, Thursday, May 7 (9:30 ET, Prime Video) Game 3: Oklahoma City at Los Angeles, Saturday, May 9 (8:30 ET, ABC) Game 4: Oklahoma City at Los Angeles, May 11, (10:30 ET, Prime Video) *Game 5: Los Angeles at Oklahoma City, May 13 (TBD) *Game 6: Oklahoma City at Los Angeles, May 15, (TBD) *Game 7: Los Angeles at Oklahoma City, May 17 (TBD)
Player to watch: LeBron James
We should be watching and savoring every chance we get to watch maybe the greatest ever to do it, because we don't know how many more of these chances we're going to get from the 41-year-old.
With Doncic out, LeBron took on the load of being the primary shot creator for the Lakers against Houston. Through the first four games against the Rockets, he impressed, as he did in Game 6. LeBron averaged 26 points, 9 rebounds and 8.5 assists while shooting 42.9% on 3-pointers in the Lakers' four wins.
However, there were stretches — in Games 4 and 5 in particular — where he started to look like he was wearing down. That's where the return of Austin Reaves helped — he is another key for Los Angeles. The Lakers need Reaves to look like the All-Star he was early in the season.
How will LeBron hold up against physical defenders like Lu Dort in a series where the games are every other night? Can he play well enough to keep the Lakers in the series until Luka Doncic potentially returns? The Lakers are going to ask a lot of LeBron, but even at 41, he answers the call most of the time.
Keys to watch for in Lakers vs. Thunder
If/When does Luka Doncic return? Or Jalen Williams?
Behind some MVP-ballot level play from Luka Doncic this season, the Lakers had a top-10 offense in the league. Los Angeles' roster, while still in flux, was built with maximizing his skills in mind.
That said, Doncic didn't exactly thrive against the Thunder this season, averaging 15.5 points a game on 33.3% shooting (14.3% from 3) in the two games he played against them, with Dort as his primary defender. Still, Doncic is one of the five best offensive players in the league, he has a history of coming up big in the playoffs, and if the Lakers are going to have a chance in this series, they need him.
Which is why the report from ESPN's Shams Charania on Sunday that Doncic is not close to returning is not good. Officially, Doncic is week-to-week. "He's doing more on the court, but still not doing full-contact workouts," Charania said. That's not a great, and if he's out for the first three or four games of this series — as it appears he will be, at the very least — the Lakers may be in too big a hole to climb out of even if he does return.
The Thunder played much of the season without Jalen Williams and kept winning, but they could use his defense (traditionally, he has gotten the LeBron assignment) and secondary ballhandling against a Lakers defense that likes to press (and may have to blitz a lot in this series). Williams is week-to-week as well, and the only update we got came from Thunder coach Mark Daigneault. "He's chipping away at his rehab. He's doing a good job," Daigneault said. That said, Williams should be close.
Can the Lakers hit enough 3-pointers?
For the season, the Lakers didn't take many 3s — bottom 10 in the league — but when they did, they made a respectable 35.9% of them (14th in the league). If Los Angeles is going to keep pace with Oklahoma City's scoring this series, it needs a lot more attempts and more 3-pointers to fall.
With Chet Holmgren as the anchor, in the games against the Lakers this season the Thunder crowded the paint on defense and dared them to shoot over the top. The chances were there, but during the four meetings this season the Lakers shot 30.3% against OKC. The return of Reaves to the rotation should help, as will Luke Kennard playing well, but the Lakers need guys like Rui Hachimura and Marcus Smart (from the corner, ideally) to launch and make 3s, too.
Can the Lakers’ defense hold up?
The Lakers played much-improved defense as the season wore on, but stopping Oklahoma City is on an entirely different level. There's Gilgeous-Alexander, who will get downhill and either finish or draw a foul. There is Holmgren, who is 7-foot, can post up, face up, hit 3s or finish lobs at the rim. There are shooters all over the court at all times. It's a big ask for the Lakers, but they need to play their best defense, put pressure on SGA and the Thunder ball handlers like Ajay Mitchell, force some turnovers and just slow the Thunder down.
Part of slowing OKC down: The Lakers have to take care of the ball. They were inconsistent against the Rockets, and Houston picked up some easy transition buckets (but missed plenty, too). The Thunder are more of the same, but when they get the ball out in transition, they finish. The Lakers can't afford to give up all those easy points.
Prediction: Thunder in five
I was at a couple of those matchups between these teams this year, and the talent gap is too great for the Lakers to make up. The return of Luka means the Lakers might be able to push this to six games, but the Thunder are moving on.
ATLANTA, GA - MAY 04: Star Wars characters parade around the field prior to the MLB game between the Atlanta Braves and the San Francisco Giants on May 4, 2018, at SunTrust Park in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by David John Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
It’s the unofficial Star Wars celebration day out there and while I don’t condone it, I recognize that I’m in the minority. For one thing, I’m a Star Trek guy. And the other thing is I think it’s incredibly dumb to use a speech impairment as the basis for celebration. Also, what are we celebrating? Star Wars surrounds us and penetrates us; it binds pop culture together! Having said that, people like Star Wars and they like the San Francisco Giants, and since the Giants will be celebrating Star Wars on May 24th, let’s put these two properties together.
There was a time before the season started when the Giants were seen as being capable of great things — heroes, really, kind of like the Jedi, that ancient sect of space monks who battle with laser swords and help aid the rise of fascism a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. So, for the moment, let’s pretend that the team isn’t cooked and celebrate them by matching each hitter with a Jedi.
Matt Chapman is Obi-Wan Kenobi
It’s the easy call. The veteran with a lot of miles and a lot of history trying to lead by example. His first season as a Giant was a lot like Obi-Wan’s role in Star Wars, impressing with powers and hinting at just enough magic and mystery to seem almost larger than life. Last year? Well, it was his Revenge of the Sith: he was good in his part of the story, but he wasn’t around for the whole thing and it ended in tragedy for him (Bob Melvin’s departure). This year, it’s the Disney+ Obi-Wan Kenobi series. Just awful.
Rafael Devers is Mace Windu
Powerful, confident, but then all of a sudden gets absolutely merc’d by a decrepit old man — in Mace Windu’s case, Emperor Palpatine fully unleashing his Sith powers. In this case, Father Time.
Casey Schmitt is Luke Skywalker
A new hope? He’s far from being a whiny farm boy, but he is being mentored by Matt Chapman / Obi-Wan Kenobi… who may not be all that great of a teacher? It remains to be seen, but the kid who was just trying to escape and experience something bigger sure has hit his way into that reality.
Patrick Bailey is Ben Solo aka Kylo Ren
A side-hopping, hard to pin down figure with a degree of charisma. Will he follow in his father’s (Buster Posey’s) footsteps by being the next great Giants catcher, or will he The Force Awakens his dad to forge his own path? It’s hard to imagine Patrick Bailey hurting anybody since he can’t even hurt a baseball thrown across home plate, but he’s on the path to betraying all the trust and investment of time the team is putting into him — just like Kylo Ren. They also have distinct headgear.
Bandana and wannabe Darth Vader mask — 100% equivalent, right?
Luis Arraez is Yoda
The clubhouse guru, but not about The Force. About hitting: “Do [hit] or do not [hit]. There is no try.”
Daniel Susac is Rey Palpatine-Skywalker
Hardly a “nobody from nowhere,” the Susac name is a respected one in the halls of the Giants and he has brought a dynamic perspective to what had become a tired battle between good and evil (Giants hitters vs. major league pitching). Most importantly, as the backup catcher, he is in a Force dyad with Patrick Bailey/Ben Solo, just like how the two characters were in The Last Jedi.
Harrison Bader is Count Dooku
I don’t entirely get Count Dooku’s “deal,” but he plays good defense, I’d say.
Christian Koss is Qui-Gon Jinn
Look, not all of these comparisons are going to be winners, and all I really remember about Q-GJ is that he got cut in half by Darth Maul. I find his lack of playing time to be a neat comparison.
Willy Adames is Anakin Skywalker
He was the Chosen One! The largest contract in team history (before the Devers trade) equals… the most powerful Force user ever known? Sure, why not? And yet here he is, having another terrible start to the season, tempted by the dark side, his smiling face transformed into a frown. A total turn to the Dark Side? Hard to say, but that hitting line is sure making the argument.
Heliot Ramos is Ahsoka Tano
I can think of few better comps for Ramos than this outcast Jedi who was once the apprentice to Anakin Skywalker. Now, Willy Adames hasn’t done the full turn (yet), but Ramos was on the outs with the Jedi order (the Giants’ front office) until he worked his Force off to become an All-Star hitter for a time.
Jung Hoo Lee is Leia Organa
Lee coming over from Korea gives him the outsider sheen needed to pull off a Leia Organa comp. Also, Grandson of the Wind might as well be Grandson of The Force. Leia was a Force-sensitive person who maybe could’ve been a Jedi if things had gone differently, instead, she wields her power differently, much like how JHL’s KBO experience gives him a different perspective on major league pitching.
Drew Gilbert is Grogu
This seems pretty obvious, right? The loud, little mascot who can steal the spotlight every so often and who at least one person (Tony Vitello) would die for.
