The Los Angeles Lakers take on the Oklahoma City Thunder for Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals. Here’s how to watch live on TV.
How to Watch Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder on May 5, 2026
You can watch the Oklahoma City Thunder take on the Los Angeles Lakers live on DIRECTV on Peacock and NBC on May 5, 2026 at 8:30 PM ET.
Los Angeles Lakers at Oklahoma City Thunder — Game 1 Preview
The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals at Paycom Center, where the top seed enters as the most overwhelming favorite LeBron James has ever faced in a playoff game. Oklahoma City went 64-18 in the regular season and swept the Phoenix Suns 4-0 in the first round, while their Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 33.8 points, 8.0 assists and 3.8 rebounds in that series while shooting 55.1% from the field.
The Lakers reached the second round by defeating the Houston Rockets in six games, with LeBron carrying the load at 41 years old, averaging 26.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 8.5 assists per game in those four victories. The biggest storyline heading into tonight is, Luka Doncic, who has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring strain against Oklahoma City in April and is not yet running or doing contact work. Jalen Williams is also out for Game 1 with a hamstring strain of his own, which at least levels the injury picture somewhat going into the opener.
This is Game 1 of the series.
Streaming
Peacock
National TV
NBC
What Time is the Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers Game Today?
The Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder game starts at 8:30 PM ET.
Where Can I Watch Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder?
You can watch Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder on Peacock and NBC.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder — 2026 Playoffs Series Schedule
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | Venue | TV | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | May 5, 2026 | 8:30 PM | Paycom Center — Oklahoma City, OK | NBC | — |
| Game 2 | May 7, 2026 | 9:30 PM | Paycom Center — Oklahoma City, OK | Prime | TBD |
| Game 3 | May 9, 2026 | 8:30 PM | Crypto.com Arena — Los Angeles, CA | ABC | TBD |
| Game 4 | May 11, 2026 | 10:30 PM | Crypto.com Arena — Los Angeles, CA | Prime | TBD |
| Game 5* | May 13, 2026 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Game 6* | May 16, 2026 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Game 7* | May 18, 2026 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Players to Watch: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron James — F. At 41 years old, James is still the Lakers’ best and most complete player, having averaged 26.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 8.5 assists in four wins over Houston in the first round. He’s been managing left foot soreness throughout the postseason but hasn’t missed a game. Without Luka Doncic available, the entire Lakers offense runs through LeBron, and what he can produce against OKC’s length and athleticism will define Los Angeles’ chances in this series.
Austin Reaves — G. Just returned from a strained oblique in Game 5 of the first-round series. Reaves gives the Lakers the secondary playmaker they desperately need alongside LeBron, and his outside shooting and playmaking off ball screens make him the most important complementary piece available to Los Angeles tonight.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — G. Averaged 33.8 points, 8.0 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game in Oklahoma City’s four-game first-round sweep of Phoenix, shooting 55.1% from the field and 89.8% from the free-throw line. He’s the front-runner for league MVP and is playing at the highest level of his career entering this series. With Jalen Williams out for Game 1, SGA will need to carry an even heavier offensive load against a Lakers defense built around LeBron.
What is the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Series Record?
This is Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals series between Los Angeles and Oklahoma City. The Thunder went 4-0 against the Lakers in the regular season, beating them by an average of 29.3 points per game, which was the largest point differential between same-conference teams in the 2025-26 season.
Injury Report: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Los Angeles Lakers
Luka Doncic (G/F) — Out, left hamstring strain
Oklahoma City Thunder
Jalen Williams (SF) — Out, hamstring strain
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