Oklahoma City Thunder vs Los Angeles Lakers Picks and Predictions for Tuesday, April 7, 2026

By: David Anicetti Published 04/07/2026, 12:20 AM ET

The Oklahoma City Thunder visit the Los Angeles Lakers at crypto.com Arena on Tuesday, April 7, at 10:30 PM ET on Spectrum Sports Net. Oklahoma City is 62-16, first in the Western Conference, while Los Angeles is 50-28 and sits third in the West. The Thunder have won five straight games and are 9-1 over the last 10, while the Lakers have dropped two in a row after previously winning three straight. Los Angeles will be without Luka Doncic, which is a major factor in this matchup. Build your bankroll with our free NBA picks.

Oklahoma City Thunder Preview

The Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Utah Jazz 146-111 in their most recent game, continuing one of the strongest late-season runs in the league. Oklahoma City also beat the Lakers 139-96 last Thursday, so this is the second meeting between the teams in less than a week. During the current five-game winning streak, the Thunder have scored at least 111 points in every game and have continued to separate themselves from the rest of the conference.

Oklahoma City is averaging 118.9 points per game while allowing just 107.5, one of the best differentials in the NBA. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the way with averages of 31.6 points and 6.5 assists per game, while Chet Holmgren adds 16.9 points and 8.8 rebounds. The Thunder also get steady production from Jalen Williams, Aaron Wiggins, Isaiah Joe, and Isaiah Hartenstein, which gives them more lineup flexibility and far less scoring pressure on one player.

Injuries: Thomas Sorber, Out

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Los Angeles Lakers Preview

The Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Dallas Mavericks 134-128 in their most recent game, and the defense continues to be the biggest concern entering this matchup. Los Angeles has allowed 139 points to Oklahoma City and 134 to Dallas in its last two games, which is a difficult trend to carry into another game against the Thunder. The Lakers are still strong at home at 26-12, but this is a far tougher spot with key absences.

The biggest issue is that Luka Doncic is out. Doncic leads the Lakers with 33.5 points and 8.3 assists per game, so Los Angeles is missing its best scorer and top playmaker. Austin Reaves is also out, which puts even more pressure on LeBron James to score and be the playmaker. James is still averaging 20.6 points and 6.9 assists, and Deandre Ayton gives the Lakers 12.4 points and 8.2 rebounds, but the overall offensive ability to score drops without Doncic and Reaves available. Against a defense and offense as complete as Oklahoma City’s, that spells trouble.

Injuries: Luka Doncic, Out, Marcus Smart, Out, Austin Reaves, Out

Oklahoma City Thunder vs Los Angeles Lakers Prediction

Oklahoma City has the edge because it is the better team overall and also enters this matchup healthier and in better form. The Thunder already handled this matchup comfortably on April 2, and the Lakers now face them again without Doncic and Reaves. That removes too much scoring and playmaking from Los Angeles against a team that forces mistakes and scores efficiently. Final Score Prediction: Oklahoma City Thunder win 129-108.