2026 NBA Playoffs: Lakers vs. Thunder Game 2 Player Props Featuring LeBron James, SGA, and Austin Reaves (May 7)

The Los Angeles Lakers were hoping to get Luka Dončić back from the injured list for Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder. But Dončić has been ruled out once again, leaving LeBron James and Austin Reaves to lead the charge against the heavily favored Thunder.

Philadelphia, minus Joel Embiid, showed us Wednesday night that we shouldn’t overlook a team because one player (even though he’s a superstar) is ruled out. But rather than focusing on the traditional betting line in a game that could very well be a blowout, I’m going to focus on player props instead today.

(Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

Will we see vintage LeBron tonight against an excellent OKC defense? Shai Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t do much in Game 1, but will that change in Game 2? Let’s discuss related player props markets and see if we can answer these questions and more.

Seeking out other sports and NBA betting promotions? Ballislife Bets has compiled a list of best sports betting offers here.

Dan Holmes has compiled a list of Best Bets for the game today between Los Angeles and Oklahoma City, which you can find here.

Western Conference semifinals Game 2: Thunder vs. Lakers Player Props Today

Odds for my player props today can be found at DraftKings and bet365.

LeBron James, Over 20.5 Points -115 (DraftKings)

I get it. While LeBron James is still “The King,” he is not the all-powerful monarch that he once was. Hence, putting up just 19 points in Game 1 vs. the Houston Rockets and 10 in Game 4. But while he may not be “that guy” anymore, LeBron is still one of the greatest players to ever suit up and a player that teams must account for.

Oklahoma City did do just that in Game 1, but didn’t at the same time. Defending against LeBron James has always been easier said than done. But rather than try to solve the unsolvable problem of how to defend LeBron, the Thunder took another route. Rather than throwing resources in a futile attempt to slow James down, they stopped everyone else.

He hit 70.6% of his shots (12 for 17) for 27 points. The rest of the team combined to go 23 for 68 or 33.8% from the floor.

So, I expect the Thunder to do the same, leaving James to have a solid but not explosive night. He has gone over this mark in five of seven postseason games, in nine of his last 15, and in two of three games vs. OKC this season.

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Over 40.5 Pts + Reb + Ast -116 (bet365)

After seeing him score only 18 points in Game 1, my initial reaction was probably like most people's. Surely, he will do much better in Game 2. Since he averaged 31+ points per game in the regular season and 33+ in the first round vs. Phoenix, Gilgeous-Alexander will go over 29.5 points tonight.

But then I did a little digging. SGA went over that total in just three of his last nine games and in just one of three games vs. the Lakers in the regular season.

However, this is SGA we are talking about, and it is playoff time. If there is anyone in this league we can expect more from, it is him. However, after reviewing his stats against the Lakers this season and in his last nine games, I can’t confidently say whether he’ll go over or under his point total.

He’ll do better than he did in Game 1. But that is true for more than just the scoreboard. In Game 1, he combined for eight rebounds and assists. SGA recorded 10+ in seven of his last nine games and in 36 this season. Between his scoring, rebounding, and assists, we’ll see enough improvement for him to go over this total.

Austin Reaves, Under 18.5 Points -105 (bet365)

Austin Reaves was a lot of fun to watch this season. He had a solid year, averaging 23.3 points per game. But while he was able to return from an injury in Game 5 vs. Houston, he has not been the same productive guy the Lakers need him to be.

His struggles culminated in a record-setting performance in Game 1 per ESPN Insights: 18.8% from the floor, the lowest shot percentage for a Laker in the playoffs in the last 35 years (min. 15 shot attempts).

So, it can only get better, right? It probably will; he’ll score more than eight points in this game. However, the Thunder had his number during the regular season, too, holding him to a high of 16 points (on Feb. 9) across three regular-season games.