The Los Angeles Lakers played their most thrilling game of the second round on May 12, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took over in crunch time with an MVP-level performance, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 115-110 victory at Crypto.com Arena. The loss sealed a 4-0 sweep for the Thunder, ending the Lakers’ 2025-26 season. Here’s a breakdown of how every Laker fared across the 10 playoff games, with one player earning superstar status, four playing solidly, and two falling short of expectations.
**Superstar (1): Rui Hachimura**
Hachimura was the Lakers’ most consistent performer throughout the playoffs, delivering an otherworldly stretch. Over 10 games, he averaged 17.5 points, 4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game while shooting 54% from the field and an incredible 56% from three-point range. He has now made over 50% of his threes in 13 consecutive playoff games, setting an NBA record. Whether against the Rockets in the first round or the Thunder in the second, Hachimura was the Lakers’ most reliable go-to scorer—even outshining LeBron James and Austin Reaves in that regard. In Game 4, his third-quarter explosion kept the Lakers competitive. His defense, long a question mark, held up well against everyone except elite scorers like SGA. He is the core piece the Lakers must retain this offseason.
**Solid (4): Luke Kennard, Austin Reaves, Marcus Smart, LeBron James**
Kennard averaged 11.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 0.9 steals in the playoffs, shooting 48% overall and 47% from deep. After Luka Dončić and Reaves went down, he became LeBron’s most reliable ball-handling partner. In the first round against Houston, he played like an All-Star early, setting the tone. Though his production dipped slightly in the second round, he remained effective—more than earning his contract.
Reaves played six games after returning from injury in Game 5 of the first round, putting up 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game. His shooting splits of 40% from the field and 25% from three reflected lingering rust, but he showed clear improvement after Game 2 of the Thunder series. As a scorer, he was solid down the stretch, though his tendency to turn the ball over under pressure and heavy reliance on free throws remain concerns. The Lakers will likely hesitate to offer him a max deal.
Smart was nearly out of the league before joining the Lakers. He embraced his role as the defensive stopper, routinely guarding the opponent’s best perimeter threat. Against the Thunder, his work on SGA prevented an even more lopsided series. While his offensive consistency is a challenge, Smart hit multiple clutch shots and arguably was the Lakers’ best crunch-time scorer. If he stays healthy, the Lakers have no reason to let him go.
James averaged 23.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 7.3 assists over 10 playoff games, shooting 45% overall and 32% from three. Age prevented him from maintaining a high level for entire games, but he helped the Lakers upset the Rockets despite low expectations and played his part in the Thunder series. His future is now in question—he likely played his final game as a Laker, with free agency looming.
**Disappointing (2): Deandre Ayton, Jalen Lavia**
Lavia had a strong regular-season stretch, even earning a starting role, but vanished in the playoffs. He averaged just 3.3 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game. As a 3-and-D forward, he couldn’t control his defensive fouls and missed open threes. He saw limited minutes in the first round and was essentially benched in the second.
Ayton was a key contributor in the first-round win over Houston, but he completely collapsed against the Thunder. In four games against OKC, he totaled just 29 points and 31 rebounds. Whenever he was on the floor, the Lakers’ interior got dominated. Backup center Jaxson Hayes actually provided better production. Ayton’s fear of physicality was his undoing, and the Lakers are expected to move on from him this summer. To contend, they need a more reliable big man.
The Lakers’ season is over, and tough decisions await. What are your thoughts?
