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Thunder Favored as Doncic, Williams Miss Game 1

5/6/2026

48 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Luka Doncic (Lakers) and Jalen Williams (Thunder) are ruled out of Game 1 in Oklahoma City.
Betting markets list the Thunder as 13-point favorites with an 80-90% chance to win Game 1.
Coach Mark Daigneault said Williams will be evaluated week-to-week after his Grade 1 hamstring strain on April 22.
Doncic is on a slow path from a Grade 2 left hamstring strain on April 2 and is not cleared for full running or contact.

History

Historical Context

In the 1998 NBA Finals, the Chicago Bulls met the Utah Jazz after both teams tied for the league’s best record at 62-20. The underdog Bulls lost Game 1 89-79 as Utah opened with a 15-point line and a 70% win probability. The series capped the Bulls’ “Last Dance” era, the last Finals without a California, Florida or Texas team until 2021.

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Story summary

Luka Doncic (Lakers) and Jalen Williams (Thunder) are ruled out of Game 1 in Oklahoma City.
Betting markets list the Thunder as 13-point favorites with an 80-90% chance to win Game 1.
Coach Mark Daigneault said Williams will be evaluated week-to-week after his Grade 1 hamstring strain on April 22.
Doncic is on a slow path from a Grade 2 left hamstring strain on April 2 and is not cleared for full running or contact.

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