{"id":127442,"date":"2026-05-12T01:24:34","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T04:24:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/lakers-adou-thieros-postseason-opportunity-is-an-audition-for-next-year\/"},"modified":"2026-05-12T01:24:37","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T04:24:37","slug":"lakers-adou-thieros-postseason-opportunity-is-an-audition-for-next-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/en\/lakers-adou-thieros-postseason-opportunity-is-an-audition-for-next-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Lakers\u2019 Adou Thiero\u2019s postseason opportunity is an audition for next year"},"content":{"rendered":"

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As Adou Thiero<\/a> was standing in front of the scorer\u2019s table at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City<\/a> early in the second quarter of the Lakers\u2019 Game 2 loss to the Thunder<\/a>, a familiar face followed Thiero\u2019s path with a message.<\/p>\n

Luka Doncic<\/a>, the team\u2019s star player who\u2019s been sidelined since April 2 because of a strained left hamstring, made the walk from his seat on the Lakers\u2019 bench to the scorer\u2019s table before putting his arm to Thiero.<\/p>\n

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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\u2019 playoff rotation after Jarred Vanderbilt suffered an open right pinky dislocation<\/a>, opening up playing time.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe just told me to go out there and play hard, just do what I do and don\u2019t overthink anything,\u201d Thiero said of Doncic\u2019s message. \u201cJust kept it simple and trying to lighten the pressure on me.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Lakers rookie Adou Thiero has found himself in the rotation in Games 2 and 3 against the Thunder. NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

During a loss that didn\u2019t provide many bright spots for the Lakers, outside of Austin Reaves bouncing back<\/a> from a rough Game 1 to kick off the series<\/a>, Thiero provided what the coaching staff was looking for.<\/p>\n

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He had three rebounds in his six-minute shift in the quarter.<\/p>\n

He hustled.<\/p>\n

He was energetic.<\/p>\n

He was physical.<\/p>\n

All of the areas the Thunder have had the edge over the Lakers entering Monday\u2019s Game 4 at Crypto.com Arena.<\/p>\n

\u201cHigh energy and physicality,\u201d coach JJ Redick<\/a> said of what\u2019s expected of Thiero. \u201cThought he played well.\u201d<\/p>\n

The good impression led to more playing time for Thiero in Saturday\u2019s Game 3 loss<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Thiero had a team-high eight rebounds in 13 minutes \u2013 five defensive rebounds and three offensive boards \u2013 and four points.<\/p>\n

\u201c[I] prayed for moments like these and worked for moments like these,\u201d Thiero said, \u201cJust to get that opportunity has been special; go out there and do what I can for the guys.\u201d<\/p>\n

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