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NBA Playoffs 2026, odds: LeBron James enters Oklahoma City Thunder series as a historic underdog
TL;DR
LeBron James and the Lakers defeated the Rockets 4-2 in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs. They now face the Oklahoma City Thunder as +950 underdogs, marking the largest playoff underdog status for the Lakers since at least 1988.
Key points
- LeBron James led the Lakers to a 4-2 series win over the Rockets.
- The Lakers are +950 underdogs against the Thunder in the playoffs.
- This is the largest playoff underdog status for the Lakers since at least 1988.
LeBron JamesLos Angeles LakersOklahoma City ThunderHouston Rockets
LeBron James and the shorthanded Los Angeles Lakers finished off the Houston Rockets in their 2026 NBA Playoffs first-round series on Friday night with a resounding 98-78 win in Game 6 to take the series 4-2.
Without Austin Reaves for part of the series and Luka Doncic for all the series, the Lakers entered as big +425 underdogs against the Rockets. But Kevin Durant didn’t play in five of the six games due to a variety of injuries, Reaves came back and James carried Los Angeles to the playoff series victory.
Unfortunately, the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder — after a 4-0 sweep of the No. 8 seed Phoenix Suns — have been waiting for Los Angeles and oddsmakers have installed James as the biggest playoff underdog he’s even been in his illustrious career.
The Lakers are currently +950 underdogs in the series against the Thunder, which is the biggest playoff underdog the Lakers have been at this point in the playoffs as a franchise since at least 1988 — as far back as the goes.
Q&A
Why are the Lakers considered underdogs against the Thunder in the 2026 NBA Playoffs?
The Lakers are +950 underdogs against the Thunder due to injuries to key players and the Thunder's strong performance in the playoffs.
What was the outcome of the Lakers vs. Rockets series in the 2026 NBA Playoffs?
The Lakers won the series against the Rockets 4-2, finishing with a decisive 98-78 victory in Game 6.
How does LeBron James' underdog status compare to his previous playoff appearances?
This is the biggest playoff underdog status LeBron James has faced in his career, with the Lakers at +950 against the Thunder.
