Stadium News

Breaking News from the Bench to the Bleachers

Chet Holmgren

NBA Insider Reveals Bad News on Jarred Vanderbilt Injury After Lakers Loss

The Los Angeles Lakers lost their veteran forward Jarred Vanderbilt amid the team’s Game 1 loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night. As the fourth quarter was in the final minutes, ESPN’s Shams Charania updated Vanderbilt’s injury with the announcement of an official diagnosis. via Shams Charania, ESPN: Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt has […] The post NBA Insider Reveals Bad News on Jarred Vanderbilt Injury After Lakers Loss appeared first on HEAVY.

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Austin Reaves suffers Game 1 injury scare in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander collision

The Los Angeles Lakers are going to need all hands on board if they’re going to take down Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the NBA Playoffs. Austin Reaves is a significant part of that battle, and will need to stay healthy for that to happen. Midway through the […] The post Austin Reaves suffers Game 1 injury scare in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander collision appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams have perfect reaction to Jared McCain’s pull-up 3

The Oklahoma City Thunder continued their quest to defend their title as they hosted the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center on Tuesday in Game 1 of their second-round series. The Thunder made light work of the Phoenix Suns in the opening round, and they would like to do it again against the Lakers. They […] The post Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams have perfect reaction to Jared McCain’s pull-up 3 appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Lakers’ Jarred Vanderbilt exits Thunder clash with fully dislocated pinky finger

The Luka Doncic-less Los Angeles Lakers already have an extremely strenuous challenge ahead of them in the form of the Oklahoma City Thunder, so they cannot bear to lose another player. That is not up to them, though. Jarred Vanderbilt’s availability is in question following a brutal injury in the first half of Tuesday’s Game […] The post Lakers’ Jarred Vanderbilt exits Thunder clash with fully dislocated pinky finger appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Lakers’ Deandre Ayton opens up on what’s really fueling him vs. Thunder

Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton was instrumental in their inspired performance against the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs. Ayton embraced his role and provided steadiness on both ends as they eliminated the Rockets. The Lakers are facing a daunting task against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round, and […] The post Lakers’ Deandre Ayton opens up on what’s really fueling him vs. Thunder appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Shows Serious Respect for LeBron James Ahead of Playoff Matchup

The second-round playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Lakers will be competitive. But, it will also be full of respect.Ahead of the series, reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander showed some serious respect for Los Angeles Lakers star forward LeBron James.Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Calls LeBron James ‘One of the Best Players to Ever […] The post Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Shows Serious Respect for LeBron James Ahead of Playoff Matchup appeared first on HEAVY.

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DeAndre Ayton’s Lakers Future Takes Turn After Major JJ Redick Quote

The life of a Los Angeles Lakers role player: play well, “Man, he’s a game changer!”, play anything less, “Get him off the team, please!” Precisely the life of DeAndre Ayton in a fine nutshell.  He was brought in to fill a major void at the center position, but few seemed genuinely convinced he was […] The post DeAndre Ayton’s Lakers Future Takes Turn After Major JJ Redick Quote appeared first on HEAVY.

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Jalen Williams Return: Thunder Coach Announces Optimism Ahead of Lakers Series

Jalen Williams has been out with a hamstring strain since Game 2 of the OKC Thunder’s first-round series against the Phoenix Suns. As they head to the second round against the LA Lakers, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault provided an optimistic statement for Williams’ return.  According to Daigneault, during media interviews in the Thunder’s practice, […] The post Jalen Williams Return: Thunder Coach Announces Optimism Ahead of Lakers Series appeared first on HEAVY.

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Why Thunder will destroy Lakers in 5 games in 2026 NBA Playoffs

The Oklahoma City Thunder don’t just enter this Western Conference Semifinals as heavy favorites — they enter it as a freight train with no brakes. With a 64-18 regular season record, a dominant first-round sweep of the Phoenix Suns, and the reigning NBA championship banner hanging in Paycom Center, OKC is built for exactly this […] The post Why Thunder will destroy Lakers in 5 games in 2026 NBA Playoffs appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Lakers Forward Gets Labeled As ‘Japanese Jordan’ Ahead of Thunder Matchup

Rui Hachimura will be a crucial piece in the LA Lakers’ second-round matchup against the top-seeded OKC Thunder. Among those who are expecting him to provide a spark in the Lakers’ offense is the Thunder’s Chet Holmgren, who attended the same Gonzaga program in college as Hachimura.  In an interview with reporters, Holmgren labeled Hachimura […] The post Lakers Forward Gets Labeled As ‘Japanese Jordan’ Ahead of Thunder Matchup appeared first on HEAVY.

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Lakers’ Rui Hachimura draws ‘Japanese Michael Jordan’ comp from Chet Holmgren

Rui Hachimura got a memorable nickname from Oklahoma City Thunder star Chet Holmgren following his great performance in the Los Angeles Lakers’ series win over the Houston Rockets. Hachimura is going through the seventh season of his career, his fourth with the Lakers. He has been in the playoffs five times as Los Angeles has […] The post Lakers’ Rui Hachimura draws ‘Japanese Michael Jordan’ comp from Chet Holmgren appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Thunder’s Chet Holmgren admires LeBron James’ longevity before Lakers series

For the first time in his four-year career, Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Chet Holmgren will face Los Angeles Lakers All-Star LeBron James in the playoffs. The Thunder will most likely be without Jalen Williams for the best-of-7 series opener. Ahead of Game 1, Holmgren commended James’ 23-year career and the fact that he’s still playing […] The post Thunder’s Chet Holmgren admires LeBron James’ longevity before Lakers series appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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How Deandre Ayton tapped into ‘biggest dude’ mentality to eliminate Rockets

The Los Angeles Lakers advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder following their 98-78 Game 6 win against the Houston Rockets. A big reason for why the Lakers advanced in the playoffs was Deandre Ayton outplaying the Rockets’ frontcourt. Following the Lakers’ Game 6 win against the Rockets, Deandre Ayton spoke […] The post How Deandre Ayton tapped into ‘biggest dude’ mentality to eliminate Rockets appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Jalen Green Reveals Offseason Plans After Early Playoff Exit

The Phoenix Suns were the first team to get eliminated from the 2026 NBA Playoffs. They were swept by the defending NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, on Monday’s Game 4 in Phoenix.The Suns kept it competitive the entire night, with Devin Booker scoring 24 points and dishing out six assists. Jalen Green and Dillon […] The post Jalen Green Reveals Offseason Plans After Early Playoff Exit appeared first on HEAVY.

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Devin Booker Makes His Opinion of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Very Clear

Elite players recognize elite players. Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker knows greatness when he sees it. Booker and the Suns saw their season end Monday at Mortgage Matchup Center.  The defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder eliminated them with a 131-122 victory in Game 4, completing a ...

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Lakers Get Major SGA Warning After Thunder Sweep Suns

The Los Angeles Lakers can see the second round from where they are standing. They are not there yet. The Western Conference picture is coming into focus. Los Angeles still has work to do before joining it.A 3-1 series lead over the Houston Rockets felt comfortable before Sunday. Game 4’s 115-96 loss added weight to […] The post Lakers Get Major SGA Warning After Thunder Sweep Suns appeared first on HEAVY.

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Thunder’s first round win streak hits incredible mark after sweeping Suns

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder cruise their way to the Western Conference semifinals after making solid work of the Phoenix Suns in a four-game sweep during the first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs on Monday night. The Thunder have been remarkable since making their grand return to the playoffs since 2024. They […] The post Thunder’s first round win streak hits incredible mark after sweeping Suns appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder complete sweep on Suns in Game 4

The Oklahoma City Thunder could not have dreamed up of a better start to their title defense in the 2026 NBA playoffs. Heavily favored against the shorthanded Phoenix Suns, the Thunder scarcely made any mistakes on their way to completing a 4-0 series sweep after claiming a 131-122 victory over the Suns on Monday night […] The post Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder complete sweep on Suns in Game 4 appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Thunder vs. Suns 2026 NBA Playoffs Game 4 prediction, odds, pick

We’re back with another prediction and pick for this upcoming Western Conference First Round matchup as the Oklahoma City Thunder take on the Phoenix Suns, up 3-0 in the series and looking for the NBA Playoffs’ first sweep. Check our NBA Playoffs odds series for the Thunder-Suns prediction and pick. The Oklahoma City Thunder took Game 3 on […] The post Thunder vs. Suns 2026 NBA Playoffs Game 4 prediction, odds, pick appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Chet Holmgren still can’t believe Thunder landed Ajay Mitchell in 2024 NBA Draft

PHOENIX — Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Chet Holmgren gave Ajay Mitchell his flowers after the second-year guard started in place of an injured Jalen Williams in Game 3 against the Suns. Before the first-round best-of-7 series shifted to Phoenix, Jalen Williams was ruled out with a hamstring injury. Mitchell, who started in the past for […] The post Chet Holmgren still can’t believe Thunder landed Ajay Mitchell in 2024 NBA Draft appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Fantasy Basketball 2026-27: Big Men Who Could Climb the Most This Summer

Big men are back. Not in the old-school sense. Not post-ups every trip. But in fantasy terms, they are swinging leagues again. That is especially true this NBA offseason. So the fantasy basketball big men conversation is already taking shape. Roles are opening. Rotations are shifting. Teams are ...

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Thunder’s Chet Holmgren flips Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s love right back on him

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander says it’s no coincidence that the defending champions have clinched the No. 1 seed every season where Chet Holmgren was available. After a 120-107 Game 2 victory, Thunder’s Gilgeous-Alexander gave Holmgren his flowers. Oklahoma City took a 2-0 lead in its first-round, best-of-7 series. After reporters […] The post Thunder’s Chet Holmgren flips Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s love right back on him appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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