<p><strong>Los Angeles Lakers</strong> bounced back in dominant fashion with a 126–99 win over the West-leading <strong>Oklahoma City Thunder</strong>, solidifying their status as <strong>NBA</strong> title contenders. Key contributions came from <strong>Dorian Finney-Smith</strong> and Gabe Vincent, who were instrumental off the bench and great performance of <strong>Lebron James</strong>. Their performance came just days after a disappointing loss to the <strong><a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/golden-state-warriors">Golden State Warriors</a></strong>. Finney-Smith specifically blamed that rough night on the challenge of guarding <strong>Stephen Curry</strong>. </p>



<p>In their recent three-game winning streak over the Thunder, Rockets, and Grizzlies, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/dorian-finney-smith">Finney-Smith</a> and Vincent combined to shoot <strong>27-for-49 from three-point range</strong>. In the lone loss to Golden State, <strong>they went just 1-for-10</strong>.</p>



<p>When asked about the shooting slump, Finney-Smith didn’t mince words. <em><strong>“Make or miss. But running around with Steph don’t help,”</strong></em> he said. <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/stephen-curry">Curry</a> torched the Lakers in that game with <strong>37 points, 3 rebounds, and 6 assists</strong>, reminding everyone of why he’s still one of the most unguardable players in the league.</p>



<p>Against the Thunder, Finney-Smith bounced back with <strong>14 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists</strong>, while Vincent added <strong>12 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists</strong>—key performances off the bench that helped <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-lakers">LA</a> seal the massive win.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="559" src="https://media.bolavip.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/05133639/curry-1024x559-1024x559.webp" alt="stephen-curry" class="wp-image-370612" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure></div><figcaption>: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors stands on the court during the third quarter of an NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on March 28, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Austin Reaves on the playoff race</h2>



<p>With <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba">NBA</a> playoff seeding in the Western Conference still in flux, every game counts. Austin Reaves <strong>emphasized the importance of their dominant win in OKC given how tight the standings are</strong>.</p>


        <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" use="ALSO" link="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-legend-kevin-garnett-names-the-most-feared-team-in-the-league-right-now-and-its-not-okc" image="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.bolavip.com%2Fwebp%2Fen%2Ffull%2FBUS_20250406_BUS_370886_Kevin-Garnett.webp&amp;width=200&amp;height=200" excerpt="NBA legend Kevin Garnett recently named the most feared team in the league right now—and his pick isn&apos;t the red-hot Oklahoma City Thunder.
" title="NBA legend Kevin Garnett names the most feared team in the league right now and it’s not OKC" publication_id="BUS#/nba/nba-legend-kevin-garnett-names-the-most-feared-team-in-the-league-right-now-and-its-not-okc"></div>

        <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" use="SEO" link="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/lakers-news-austin-reaves-receives-high-praise-from-his-head-coach-jj-redick" image="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.bolavip.com%2Fwebp%2Fen%2Ffull%2FBUS_20250406_BUS_371370_redick-reaves.webp&amp;width=200&amp;height=200" excerpt="Austin Reaves has carved out a well-deserved role on the Lakers&apos; competitive roster, showcasing consistent growth that has not gone unnoticed. Following his recent performances, JJ Redick took a moment to publicly praise the young guard’s development and impact.
" title="Lakers News: Austin Reaves receives high praise from his head coach JJ Redick" publication_id="BUS#/nba/lakers-news-austin-reaves-receives-high-praise-from-his-head-coach-jj-redick"></div>

        <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" use="SEO" link="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/stephen-curry-and-luka-doncic-emerge-as-most-hated-players-by-lakers-legend" image="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.bolavip.com%2Fwebp%2Fen%2Ffull%2FBUS_20250406_BUS_371441_GettyImages-2192092266-1.webp&amp;width=200&amp;height=200" excerpt="A Los Angeles Lakers legend revealed that Luka Doncic and Stephen Curry were the two players he disliked the most in the NBA.
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<p><em><strong>“It’s huge,”</strong></em> Reaves said postgame. <em>“And where the standings are, <strong>you could go from third to eighth in the snap of a finger</strong>. So for us to come in here and play such a good team the way we did tonight is big.”</em></p>



<h2>LeBron James on team identity</h2>



<p>Lakers star <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-news-lakers-lebron-james-reflects-on-dominant-performance-after-blowout-win-over-okc"><strong>LeBron James offered a measured assessment after the victory</strong></a>, speaking to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin via X (formerly Twitter). He acknowledged the progress but insisted there’s still work to be done.</p>



<p><em><strong>“They know who they are… We’re still trying to figure it out,</strong></em>” <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lebron-james">James</a> said. <em>“We understand that coming down the stretch we have to play some really good basketball, <strong>but we’re still working our habits</strong>.”</em></p>


LeBron James’ Lakers teammate blames Stephen Curry for struggles against Warriors

Lakers News: Austin Reaves receives high praise from his head coach JJ Redick

Stephen Curry and Luka Doncic emerge as most hated players by Lakers legend

LeBron James’ Lakers teammate blames Stephen Curry for struggles against Warriors - Bolavip US

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<p>The<strong> <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/philadelphia-76ers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Philadelphia 76ers</a> </strong>entered <strong>the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA</a> season </strong>as one of the powerhouses in the Eastern Conference. But not even an MVP campaign from <strong><a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/joel-embiid" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Joel Embii</a>d </strong>was enough to get them over the hump.</p>



<p>The Sixers fell in the second round for the third time in as many seasons under Do<strong>c Rivers. </strong>They let their coach go, but their issues could run deeper, and they will need to find several reinforcements in the offseason.</p>



<p>That could become even more evident <strong>if <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/james-harden" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">James Harden</a> winds up leaving </strong>as rumored. With that in mind, let’s take a look at three potential targets they should go after.</p>



<h2>NBA Rumors: 3 Potential Targets For The Sixers</h2>



<h3>3. Dorian Finney-Smith</h3>



<p>It’s time to face facts and realize that the Sixers desperately need to move on from <strong>Tobias Harris.</strong> He’s entering the final year of his contract, so they could finally trade him, even if it costs them several picks.</p>



<p>They could then pursue <strong>Dorian Finney-Smith</strong> to serve as their new starting SF, as he’s one of the best wing-stoppers in the league, and they could definitely use him against<strong> Jayson Tatum and/or Jaylen Brown.</strong></p>



<h3>2. Kyrie Irving</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="572" src="https://media.bolavip.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/28121612/kyrie-irving-1-1024x572-1024x572.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-3827" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure></div><figcaption>Kyrie Irving – Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



<p>This one seems kind of far-fetched, but<strong> Daryl Morey</strong> has always been an aggressive executive, so we shouldn’t rule anything out when he’s calling the shots.</p>



<p><strong>Kyrie Irving </strong>is a free agent, and he could be a suitable replacement for James Harden, providing another explosive scorer and elite ball-handler next to Joel Embiid, albeit he’d come with obvious risks.</p>



<h3>1. Damian Lillard</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="572" src="https://media.bolavip.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/28121611/damian-lillard-1-1024x572-1024x572.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-3828" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure></div><figcaption>Damian Lillard – Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



<p>For months, <strong>Damian Lillard</strong> has been tied with a move to multiple teams, including the Philadelphia 76ers. He’d be a big upgrade over the aging James Harden.</p>



<p>The <strong>Portland Trail Blazers c</strong>ould look to rebuild around<strong> Anfernee Simons</strong> and their No. 3 pick, and Lillard wants no part of a rebuild, so this would make sense for both parties.</p>


NBA Rumors: 3 Potential targets for the Philadelphia 76ers

NBA Rumors: 3 Potential targets for the Philadelphia 76ers - Bolavip US

<p>The<strong> </strong><a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/golden-state-warriors" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Golden State Warriors</strong> </a>entered the season as the <strong>reigning <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA </a>champions. </strong>But even though<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/stephen-curry" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> <strong>Stephen Curry</strong> </a>was once again at his best, that just wasn’t enough to get the job done.</p>



<p>The<strong> Western Conference </strong>is stacked, and the Warriors are no longer the best team in town. They need to assess their roster and start making some tough decisions ahead of next season.</p>



<p>So, now that they’re reportedly considering <strong>moving on from <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/NBA-Rumors-3-potential-landing-spots-for-Jordan-Poole-20230510-0026.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jordan Poole</a></strong> and other players, we take a look at three players they should target in free agency and/or the trade market.</p>



<h2>NBA Rumors: 3 Targets For The Warriors</h2>



<h3>3. Justise Winslow</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="572" src="https://media.bolavip.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/28121614/justise-winslow-1024x572-1024x572.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-3825" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure></div><figcaption>Justise Winslow – Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



<p><strong>Justise Winslow</strong> never turned out to be the two-way stud some thought he could be, but the Warriors have found plenty of success by bringing careers back from the ground.</p>



<p>Winslow will be a free agent and struggled to stay healthy with the Portland Trail Blazers. But he could give them another versatile defender and athletic wing at a massive discount, allowing them to trade <strong>Jonathan Kuminga</strong> for a star.</p>



<h3>2. Dorian Finney-Smith</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="572" src="https://media.bolavip.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/28121615/dorian-finney-smith-1024x572-1024x572.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-3824" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure></div><figcaption>Dorian Finney-Smith – Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



<p>Likewise, the Warriors could turn to the <strong>Brooklyn Nets</strong> to add another versatile wing defender. They may not want to keep him as they pursue a bigger name or younger players, so he could be a part of a trade package to the Bay area.</p>



<p>D<strong>orian Finney-Smith</strong> is one of the most underrated defenders in the league. The Warriors could lose<strong> Donte DiVincenzo</strong>, who’s got a player option for next season, so he’s a name to keep an eye on.</p>



<h3>1. OG Anunoby</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="572" src="https://media.bolavip.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/28121616/og-anunoby-1024x572-1024x572.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-3823" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure></div><figcaption>OG Anunoby – Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



<p>Obviously, landing <strong>OG Anunoby</strong> would be the biggest win the Dubs could even dream of in the offseason. He fits their timeline as a win-now player and could also be their franchise player once their championship core is gone.</p>



<p>Anunoby is one of the best defenders in the league and a high-IQ player who’s slowly turning into an offensive force as well. His athleticism and brains make him <strong>a seamless fit for this roster.</strong></p>


NBA Rumors: 3 potential targets for the Golden State Warriors

NBA Rumors: 3 potential targets for the Golden State Warriors - Bolavip US

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