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As Adou Thiero was standing in front of the scorer’s table at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City early in the second quarter of the Lakers’ Game 2 loss to the Thunder, a familiar face followed Thiero’s path with a message.
Luka Doncic, the team’s star player who’s been sidelined since April 2 because of a strained left hamstring, made the walk from his seat on the Lakers’ bench to the scorer’s table before putting his arm to Thiero.
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Doncic was there to give the Lakers rookie pieces of advice before getting his first opportunity of being in the Lakers’ playoff rotation after Jarred Vanderbilt suffered an open right pinky dislocation, opening up playing time.
“He just told me to go out there and play hard, just do what I do and don’t overthink anything,” Thiero said of Doncic’s message. “Just kept it simple and trying to lighten the pressure on me.”
Lakers rookie Adou Thiero has found himself in the rotation in Games 2 and 3 against the Thunder. NBAE via Getty Images
During a loss that didn’t provide many bright spots for the Lakers, outside of Austin Reaves bouncing back from a rough Game 1 to kick off the series, Thiero provided what the coaching staff was looking for.
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He had three rebounds in his six-minute shift in the quarter.
He hustled.
He was energetic.
He was physical.
All of the areas the Thunder have had the edge over the Lakers entering Monday’s Game 4 at Crypto.com Arena.
“High energy and physicality,” coach JJ Redick said of what’s expected of Thiero. “Thought he played well.”
The good impression led to more playing time for Thiero in Saturday’s Game 3 loss.
Thiero had a team-high eight rebounds in 13 minutes – five defensive rebounds and three offensive boards – and four points.
“[I] prayed for moments like these and worked for moments like these,” Thiero said, “Just to get that opportunity has been special; go out there and do what I can for the guys.”
After spending the majority of the season in the G League, Adou Thiero now finds himself defending the reigning MVP in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the postseason. Jayne…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/lakers-adou-thiero-postseason-opportunity-211650612.html
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Publish date : 2026-05-11 21:16:00
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