The stage is set for another epic battle in the NBA playoffs for the Los Angeles Lakers , with LeBron James and company heading into the second round as heavy underdogs against the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. Ahead of this second round matchup, which will get underway on Tues. May 5 at the Paycom Center, the Lakers are focused on trying to figure out a way to contain superstar guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander . After Lakers practice on Monday, one-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart admitted that Gilgeous-Alexander is the toughest player to guard in the league today, via Daniel Starkand of Lakers Nation . Marcus Smart says SGA is “number one” among the most challenging players to defend. pic.twitter.com/LU42tyBYhq — Daniel Starkand (@DStarkand) May 4, 2026 “Number one,” Smart said of the reigning NBA MVP. “I think we all know that. He does a really good job of getting to the free-throw line, and he’s mastered it. That’s gonna be a challenge for me.…