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"I've seen Luka take down OKC by himself" - Shannon Sharpe on why the Lakers are title contenders
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- "I've seen Luka take down OKC by himself" - Shannon Sharpe on why the Lakers are title contenders
Despite their red-hot stretch, not many are giving the Los Angeles Lakers a chance to win the 2026 NBA championship. With the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs locked in at No. 1 and No. 2 in the Western Conference, any path to the Finals would likely require going through one of them — if not both — an obstacle many view as daunting.
Shannon Sharpe agrees with that assessment, but he believes the Lakers shouldn't be counted out entirely, saying they at least have a puncher's chance.
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"I think they can beat everybody in the West. I don't really think they can beat San Antonio or OKC. But I've seen Luka take down OKC by himself. Him and Kyrie, I saw that. So I know what Luka can do. The question is, he's gonna need Austin, because Kyrie was able to have some big games. He's going to need LeBron," Sharpe said.
Doncic vs. OKC in 2024 playoffs
Before the Thunder won it all last season, they were also the No.1 team in the West during the 2023-24 campaign. However, despite holding home-court advantage throughout the Western playoffs, they were stunned in the second round by the fourth-seeded Dallas Mavericks , led by Luka Doncic, who averaged 24.7 points, 10.5 rebounds and 8.7 assists in six games.
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With the series tied at 2-2, Doncic went to Oklahoma City and registered a 31-point triple-double as Dallas took the crucial 3-2 lead. Then he closed out the Thunder at home in Game 6 with yet another triple-double — 29 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists — on 9-15 shooting, including 4-6 from 3-point distance.
Doncic got the much-needed support from P.J. Washington , who averaged 17.7 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, and Kyrie Irving , who put up 15.7 points and 6.2 assists throughout the series. In the closeout Game 6, Irving had a big game with 22 points to help put the Thunder away.
A level above the Lakers
Doncic is arguably a better player today. But the Thunder are also a much different team, despite much of the core from that 2024 playoff series remaining intact. Still, guys like Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein are widely viewed as the final pieces of their championship puzzle.
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Doncic, meanwhile, no longer has Irving. But he has Austin Reaves , who is having the best season of his NBA career. He's also backed by a 41-year-old LeBron James , who has reinvented himself during the Lakers' hot streak, thriving as the third option. The additions of Luke Kennard for outside shooting and a fully committed Deandre Ayton have only strengthened the roster.
But as good as the Lakers are playing right now, the Thunder have been incredibly consistent all year long. This might be the best version of L.A. yet, but Oklahoma City remains a level above, and the Lakers may not have enough to overcome them — assuming they first get past the Spurs in the second round.
Then again, there's always that puncher's chance.
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This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Mar 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the Teams section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
