All the setback the Lakers had evaded across a very successful stretch compounded into one game against the defending champions. The infamous Los Angeles Lakers defensive lapses were on display in Paycom Center. While Marcus Smart was unavailable, the Oklahoma City Thunder once again put the Lakers’ defensive lapses on display. Luka Doncic and LeBron James had very poor performances in the first half when the Lakers were behind by double digits. The third quarter turned disastrous when Doncic suffered a non-contact injury.

In 23 seasons, LeBron James is acutely experienced with these situations. James emphasized that the team’s postseason aspirations now hinge entirely on a medical timetable.

“There’s never a time to get comfortable in this league,” James told reporters in the locker room. “The only thing we do know is that we won’t be in the Play-In, so we have that week. But health is wealth. We already out with Marcus [Smart] right now and now Luka. We don’t know what the timetable is. We’ll see.”

The playoff-bound Lakers were hinging on Luka Doncic to make a deep postseason run. But two weeks away, this development throws off every prediction.

Doncic is scheduled for an MRI on Friday. It will determine the severity of the hamstring strain and if it will entail missing games.

Their defensive pillar, Marcus Smart is out with an ankle injury. His absence ended their hot 9-game winning streak. A re-evaluation and his upcoming workout would give a clearer timeline.

Now their offense is in jeopardy too. Besides Doncic’s hamstring strain, Austin Reaves also tweaked his back and sat out the fourth quarter tonight.

Although it appeared nothing Doncic, Reaves, or Bron could do to close that 43-point gap, King James is keeping his tunnel vision on the playoffs and the existing roster.

LeBron James tries to give Lakers the thin silver lining

LeBron James’ comments underscore a bittersweet reality. Before this game, they were speculating if the Lakers are true title contenders and James could potentially retire if they indeed end up winning. Luka Doncic putting up Kobe Bryant-like numbers actually raised LakeShow’s hopes.

Now James is recentering expectations. The Lakers (50–27) have officially clinched a playoff spot and were the most complete than they had been the entire season. They were without LeBron at the start of the season, when he came back Austin Reaves hurt his calf, and then Doncic teteered between injury scares and high-scoring nights. They’ve also had several stretches without Marcus Smart and Deandre Ayton among other injury issues.

In late March, the Lakers had finally found their championship identity with their ‘Big 3.’ But it was hard to ignore on nights Doncic was scoring between 40 to 60 points, in back-to-back games at times, he was playing through the pain of a sore hamstring.

The tiny saving grace might be the week of rest the Lakers get when the Play-in Tournament goes on. As James said, they have to watch their timetable and work around their rotation. It might give Doncic and Smart the time necessary to bounce back. And that’s operating on the assumption that Doncic’s injury isn’t unspeakably bad. The comfort of the week-long break between the regular season and the first round is the only silver lining James could find.

Regardless of their health issues tonight, the Thunder defense completely dismantled the Lakers. Doncic’s night ended with 12 points while Austin Reaves scored 15 points and LeBron James added 13 for the Lakers.

The Lakers, OKC, and Spurs are battling for homecourt advantage at this stage. But at least LA would likely shift their focus to now ensure they have a complete roster for LeBron’s potential fifth title pursuit.