LeBron vs. Father Time and History: Ranking the Final 4 West NBA Teams
The NBA Western Conference semifinals feature the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Los Angeles Lakers, ranked here from strongest to weakest. The Thunder are favored due to their elite defense, while the Spurs boast Victor Wembanyama, a game-changing defensive force. The Lakers, led by LeBron James but missing key players like Luka Doncic, face an uphill battle against the defending champions.
- ▪The Oklahoma City Thunder are the defending champions and rank as the top team in the West due to their historically strong defense.
- ▪Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs is considered the best defender in the NBA and a potential all-time great on that end of the floor.
- ▪The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Denver Nuggets in the first round despite injuries and could get Anthony Edwards back for the semifinals.
- ▪The Los Angeles Lakers advanced without Luka Doncic, who remains sidelined with a hamstring injury and is not expected to return soon.
- ▪LeBron James is leading the Lakers but faces a daunting challenge against the Thunder, drawing comparisons to his past lopsided Finals matchups.
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By Tyler ErzbergerShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberSee more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.LeBron James can't do it, right?…Right?The Los Angeles Lakers are taking on the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western semifinals, and they'll most likely have to do it without the NBA's leading scorer, Luka Doncic.As we are down to the final four teams in the NBA Western Conference, it's time to rank them from strongest to weakest as we head into the next round.More news: Kevin Durant Could Leave the Rockets for These 3 Teams This Offseason...1.
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