Los Angeles Lakers point guard Luka Doncic (hamstring) wasn't close to returning before the team's season ended on Monday night. "I know some people wanted me (to come) back, but obviously I wasn't close to clearing," Doncic said. "If I could be out there, I would be, 100%. Everybody in that room knows this is really tough. This is the best time to play basketball." Doncic missed the Lakers' entire postseason campaign after suffering a Grade 2 hamstring strain on April 2. He said he is running and shooting but hasn't progressed to contact work in practice. Losing Doncic for the playoffs was a massive blow to the Lakers. During his first full season in Los Angeles, Doncic averaged a league-high 33.5 points, along with 7.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists, and 1.6 steals. Having turned only 27 earlier this year, he is set to remain a fantasy stalwart for the foreseeable future.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James has yet to make plans for his future after his 23rd NBA campaign ended with a 115-110 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday, ESPN's Dave McMenamin reports. "I think you guys asked me about [retirement], and I've answered questions. I don't think I've come out and been like, 'Oh, retirement is coming,'" James said postgame. "With my future, I don't know, honestly. It's, obviously it's still fresh from, obviously losing [the series]. And I don't know. I don't know what the future holds for me." James, who turned 41 in December, was the Lakers' highest-paid player this term, earning $52.6 million. He doesn't have a contract or a contract option for next season. In 2025-26, James proved he can still be a highly impactful player, averaging 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.2 steals.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell wrapped up the second-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers with a 28-point effort in Monday's 115-110 win. The 23-year-old sophomore had the best postseason scoring performance of his young career and also made a mark defensively, recording four steals. He had an outstanding 12-for-19 record from the field, though Mitchell made only one of four three-point attempts. He grabbed three rebounds and delivered four assists. The defending champions lost Jalen Williams (hamstring) in Round 1, but thanks to Mitchell's emergence, the team has done just fine without him. Since taking over Williams' spot in the starting lineup, Mitchell has averaged 21.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.2 steals per game.

Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a game-high 35 points as the defending champions completed their second-round sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers with a 115-110 road win on Monday night. He also had one rebound, eight assists, and one steal, finishing 11-for-22 from the field and 12-for-15 at the free-throw line. This was by far Gilgeous-Alexander's best game of the series, but it's scary that the Thunder didn't need the reigning MVP to be at his best to extend their postseason-opening winning streak to eight games. Mark Daigneault's team is looking unstoppable, though the Thunder could face difficulties in the Conference Finals if they meet San Antonio -- they have lost four of five meetings with the Spurs this season, including the NBA Cup semifinal.