Most fans likely have realistic expectations for this Western Conference Semifinals matchup between the Lakers and the Thunder. After all, the Lakers eliminating the Rockets was already a pleasant surprise. And the Thunder are undoubtedly an elite team. Even if the Lakers can't win a single game, it wouldn't be shocking.

In four regular-season meetings, the Thunder swept the Lakers, winning by an average margin of 29.3 points per game. In their final matchup, the Lakers lost two of their core players — Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves — both felled by Oklahoma City's suffocating defense. These two teams are simply not on the same level. For the Lakers to win even one game, a perfect storm of unexpected factors would need to align. This could very well be the least competitive Western Conference Semifinals in NBA history.

The Lakers didn't play poorly today. LeBron James came out strong, scoring 10 points early, benefiting from three days of rest. Los Angeles hung with the Thunder through the first quarter. But from the end of the first period onward, the game's rhythm belonged entirely to Oklahoma City.

To be fair, the Lakers fought hard. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with just 18 points — his first sub-20-point game since May 24 of last year, counting both regular season and playoffs. He also committed 7 turnovers; his regular-season high this year was 5. The defensive intensity the Lakers threw at him was arguably the most relentless he has faced all season. In a sense, the Lakers can consider that a success.

But this iteration of the Thunder is deeper than last year's — even with Jalen Williams sidelined. They no longer need to rely on Williams to replicate his epic 40-point playoff performance. Their depth is even greater. When Alexander is trapped, the offense flows through Ajay Mitchell. The defensive spark comes from Alex Caruso. The secondary scoring comes from McCain's three-point shooting. Chet Holmgren protects the rim and cleans the glass. Mitchell eviscerated the Lakers' defense. Oklahoma City is far from its strongest form, and Los Angeles threw everything it had into its defensive effort — but the gap between these two teams remains vast.

As for the Lakers, Austin Reaves went 3-of-16 from the field — disappointing, but not entirely surprising. Reaves has historically struggled against big, defensive-minded teams like the Thunder. In three regular-season matchups this year, he averaged just 14.7 points and 3.7 assists on 42.9% shooting, with a plus-minus of -33 — all well below his season averages.

Another significant factor: Reaves couldn't get to the free-throw line consistently. He averages 7+ free throw attempts per game in the regular season. Tonight, he had just two. In last year's first-round series loss to Minnesota, he averaged only 1.4 free throw attempts per game. Against elite rim protectors and perimeter defenders, he often finds himself struggling through difficult shots without drawing fouls, trapping himself in a vicious cycle of worsening shot selection.

It's also a cruel twist of timing: Reaves rushed his return just before contract extension talks, only to likely play in a series that won't end well — one that could lower his market value. Millions of dollars may literally be slipping through his fingers.

At this point, the only wildcard left in this series may be whether Luka Dončić can actually return.