MVP titans and defensive anchors collide as the defending champion Lakers face Oklahoma City’s rising dynasty in a star-studded showdown defined by pure razzle-dazzle and high-stakes intensity.
The Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Lakers tip off their Western Conference Semifinals series on Tuesday night at The Paycom Center. And Loud City will have no shortage of star power in the building.
This matchup will feature two soon to be multiple Most Valuable Players winners, five All-Stars, two #1 overall draft picks, a Defensive Player of the Year and a DPOY runner up and soon to be seven All-Defense players.
An international spotlight will shine on the series as it features the defending NBA champs against the league's most popular team. An argument could be made that these are the two most disliked teams in the league currently as well, given the vitriol always reserved for title winners and the disdain that goes along with being the biggest and most glamorous brand in basketball.
But it all comes back to the superstars. No other Round 2 series can match the sheer razzle dazzle of Thunder versus Lakers. Let's take a look at the star studded Big 3 of each team.
LeBron James. The four time MVP, four time NBA champion and four time Finals MVP is also a 22 time All Star. Despite being 41 years old, he's still the biggest name in the sport. His legend is second only to Michael Jordan.
Luka Doncic. The six time All Star and this year's scoring champion is a former NBA Rookie of the Year and EuroLeague MVP. A consensus current top five hooper and one of the most popular players in the world. The question, of course, is whether he will return from his Grade 2 hamstring strain to play in this series or not.
Austin Reaves. While he may not have the accolades that a traditional star usually possesses, he is the third best player on the Los Angeles Lakers. That alone gives Reaves enough of a boost in exposure and limelight to qualify him for placement in the star tier.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The current reigning MVP and Finals MVP should be announced any time now as a back to back Most Valuable Player. Though there's always going to be a few a few hold outs in the sports media world, the Thunder superstar has taken the very unofficial but very real title of Best Player In The World.
Chet Holmgren. The Thunder big man was a first time All Star and is a lock for First Team All Defense. Odds are he will be announced as an All NBA player soon as well. Holmgren has been a star since his high school days back in Minnesota.
Jalen Williams. OKC's secondary scorer, ball handler and playmaker pulled off an All-Star, All-NBA, All-Defense hat trick last season. Williams has battled with injuries all season and may miss part of this series. If he does indeed return against the Lakers, Loud City's favorite hype man will remind everyone why he is a star.