American Sports commentator Michael Wilbon has shared a hot take on the OKC Thunder’s chances, without Jalen Williams, against the Los Angeles Lakers in Round 2. Even though the Lakers do not have the services of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, who are catching their breath before entering the postseason, LeBron James and Co. have held their ground perfectly. However, Wilbon believed that might be it for the Lakeshow.
The Thunder lead the series against the Phoenix Suns 2-0 and will likely close out the matchup soon. However, Jalen Williams injured his left hamstring in the third quarter of Game 2 and left the game after playing 19 minutes.
On Get Up on ESPN, the sports commentator believed that the Thunder might not miss him against the Lakers in Round 2. Wilbon said that he was already out most of the regular season, playing 33 games, and the Thunder still did well. He added:
“This series, the Suns are not gonna be able to do much. But, in the next series coming up, I don’t know, he can rest, they’re gonna get the Lakers, it looks like.”
Wilbon added that Williams has consistently been an All-NBA player, and his presence will be crucial in the upcoming series against teams like the Denver Nuggets and the San Antonio Spurs. Meanwhile, the Lakers have certainly performed unlike what most analysts predicted. JJ Reddick has used the pieces perfectly in the absence of the elite guard duo.
Thunder, without Jalen Williams, can face stern challenge from Lakers in Round 2
The Thunder went 39-10 this regular season without Jalen Williams in the squad. The last time they met the Lakers in the regular season, the Thunder was without Williams and won the game, 121-92. However, the current Lakers are nothing like their older selves. They are stepping up defensively, and ball hustles have gone intense. A lot of that has to do with how Marcus Smart has performed.
The 2021-22 NBA Defensive Player of the Year has been in action in the two games thus far. He had five steals in the last game, along with 25 points and seven assists. LeBron James has kept the energy up, which is evident on the court, and has led from the front, scoring 28 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, and dishing 7 assists.
More than 90% of the time in NBA playoff history, the team leading 2-0 has won the series. It looks like Kevin Durant and the Rockets will have to wait another season for the title. Meanwhile, getting over the Lakers in Round 2 might not be such an easy task after all for the Thunder, as Doncic and Reaves are almost certain to be available for that series.
If the Lakers can bring the same energy on the court, especially in the paint, with the superstar guard duo shooting the ball, it won’t be a cake walk for any defense in the league. For now, the Lakers play the Rockets in Game 3 on April 24.
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