Shannon Sharpe Makes Another Questionable 'Lakers in 5' Statement Regarding OKC Thunder

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Nathaniel Holloway | Last updated Mar 18, 2025 5:35 PM ET

It has been a spectacular season for the Oklahoma City Thunder as they have dominated their way through the season thus far.

Oklahoma City currently sits at the top of the Western Conference standings with a 56-12 record and they sit a whopping 12 and a half games ahead of the Houston Rockets who currently sit second in the standings.

The Thunder are also the only team in the West that has already clinched a spot in the playoffs and they look as though they are going to be the team to beat in the West once the playoffs begin.

Of course, the Thunder have been led by their superstar point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who currently finds himself in the MVP conversation once again.

Jalen Williams has also had a great season and their offseason additions of Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso have also played key roles in Oklahoma City’s success.

While the Thunder are currently the best team in the West, former NFL star player and current ESPN analyst Shannon Sharpe recently made another statement regarding the Los Angeles Lakers’ chances against them in the playoffs.

“The Thunder, a Boost Mobile bundle, WWE Royal Rumble, Lakers in 5,” Sharpe said on First Take on Monday.

"The Thunder, a Boost Mobile bundle, WWE, Royal Rumble, Lakers in 5."

Shannon Sharpe still taking Los Angeles over OKC

(via @FirstTake)pic.twitter.com/LKye8ifcLo
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 17, 2025

Of course, Sharpe is a well-known Lakers fan and he has been making these laughable statements since his time with FOX Sports and they have now carried into his time at ESPN.

While the Lakers have been a much better team in the second half of the season thanks to them acquiring Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks at the trade deadline, they may still be a piece away from being a true title contender and also a threat to Oklahoma City.

Los Angeles is also without their star forward LeBron James as he continues to recover from a groin injury, but he is expected to return well before the playoffs begin.

Despite this, the Lakers are still a step below the Thunder and while they have the advantage of experience on their roster, it will take a perfect series for them to knock out Oklahoma City in the playoffs.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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