LeBron James Talks Lakers' Approach to Thunder Series in NBA Playoffs Amid Luka Doncic Injury

LeBron James says the Los Angeles Lakers are heading into the second round as underdogs as they prepare to take on the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder with top scorer Luka Dončić still sidelined by a hamstring injury injury.

"It's the same approach as last series. We're undermanned, we're the underdog, and we understand that," James told Steve Nash around the 37:00 mark of Tuesday's Mind the Game podcast.

Dončić has already been ruled out for Tuesday night's Game 1 of the Lakers' second-round matchup against the Thunder.

"They're one of of the most historic basketball teams offensively and defensively that our league has seen, and they've got one of the most efficient players in our league history, and probably is gonna be the MVP again," James said.

James continued, "We know we can't stop everything. It's impossible. They're that great. But if we can control the controllables— which is another one of not turning the ball over because we know how great they are when it comes to pick-sixes, and how handsy they are, and athleticism and speed they can play with— then we can give ourselves a chance."

Turnovers were an issue for Los Angeles during stretches of their first-round series against the Houston Rockets. James' team gave up the ball 39 total times while conceding back-to-back losses in Games 4 and 5.

The Lakers ultimately closed out the series in Friday night's Game 6 thanks in part to a 28-point performance from James.

The team also benefitted from the return of Austin Reaves, who was back for the final two games of Round 1 after missing time with an oblique injury.

James will hope to see Reaves take another step forward in his third game back when the Lakers tip off against the Thunder at 8:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday night.