By Sunday 
The playoffs are here, and while the spotlight is shining bright on stars like and , it’s the quieter, tactical battles that could end up deciding this series.
One of those? The looming matchup between and .
And Holmgren isn’t taking it lightly.
🧠 A Respectful Warning from Holmgren
After a recent practice, Holmgren didn’t try to downplay what’s coming. If anything, he leaned into it—acknowledging just how much of a challenge Ayton presents.
“I think he’s a really good player… He’s a big target down there… When he gets the ball down low, he’s a big guy, strong guy, and he can finish well, so just got to make everything challenging.”
That’s not just routine media talk—that’s a young star recognizing a real problem.
Ayton isn’t flashy, but he’s effective. He plays his role, controls the paint, and thrives when surrounded by good passers—which the Lakers definitely have.
💪 The Underrated Battle in the Paint
While much of the hype surrounds perimeter players, this series could quietly hinge on what happens inside.
Ayton is coming off a solid stretch where he anchored the defense and made life difficult for opponents in the post. He’s physical, disciplined, and knows how to use his size.
On the other side, Holmgren brings length, agility, and shot-blocking instincts. But strength? That’s where Ayton could try to impose himself.
Even with likely starting at center, Holmgren will still have moments where he has to deal with Ayton directly—and those moments could be crucial.
🏀 Thunder Still Hold the Edge… For Now
Let’s be real—the are entering this series as clear favorites.
They swept the regular season matchup against the , and not just barely—they dominated, winning by an average of nearly 30 points.
That’s not a fluke.
Even without to start the series, OKC has depth, chemistry, and the reigning MVP leading the charge.
Meanwhile, the Lakers are dealing with the absence of , putting even more pressure on LeBron and to carry the load.
⏳ Can the Lakers Flip the Script?
If the Lakers want any shot at pulling off an upset, they’ll need contributions from everywhere—and that includes Ayton stepping up in a big way.
Because if Holmgren’s words are anything to go by, the Thunder already know what’s coming.
They’re just trying to make it as difficult as possible.
And in playoff basketball, sometimes that’s all it takes—turning strengths into struggles, possession by possession.