On Thursday, the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 125-107, securing a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference semifinals. Chet Holmgren and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander each scored 22 points to lead Oklahoma City, while Ajay Mitchell contributed 20 and Jared McCain chipped in 18 points off the bench.
The Lakers, meanwhile, were once again without scoring champion Luka Doncic, who remains out indefinitely due to a strained left hamstring. They also missed forward Jarred Vanderbilt, who dislocated the pinkie finger on his right hand in the second quarter of Game 1. Austin Reaves paced Los Angeles with 31 points, and LeBron James added 23.
Early in the third quarter, the Lakers led 63-61 when Gilgeous-Alexander got tangled with Reaves and was called for his fourth personal foul. Upon review, the foul was upgraded to a Flagrant 1 for Gilgeous-Alexander’s follow-through. Thunder guard Alex Caruso received a technical foul as the situation was being sorted out. With Gilgeous-Alexander on the bench and the Lakers leading 65-61, Oklahoma City rallied and took control of the game. Holmgren found a trailing Jaylin Williams in transition, and Williams knocked down a three-pointer while being fouled, giving the Thunder an 85-74 lead. Oklahoma City outscored the Lakers 32-15 during Gilgeous-Alexander’s absence in the third quarter, carrying a 93-80 lead into the fourth period.
Los Angeles trimmed Oklahoma City’s lead to five points in the fourth quarter, but the Thunder pulled away once more. The Lakers will host Game 3 on Saturday.
