Thunder roll deep - and it shows as they go up 2-0 on Lakers: Takeaways
The New York Times • • sports
Key Points:
- The Oklahoma City Thunder extended their perfect playoff record to 6-0 by defeating the Los Angeles Lakers 125-107 in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals, taking a 2-0 series lead.
- Ajay Mitchell led the Thunder with 20 points, stepping up in place of the injured Jalen Williams, while Chet Holmgren and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander each contributed 22 points.
- The Lakers were without star Luka Dončić due to a hamstring injury, and despite Austin Reaves scoring a career-high 31 points, the team struggled defensively and could not contain the Thunder’s balanced attack.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander spent much of the game in foul trouble, limiting his impact, but the Thunder’s bench and role players capitalized, especially during a decisive 25-8 run in the third quarter.
- The series now shifts to Los Angeles for Game 3, where the Lakers will seek to recover from missed opportunities and the Thunder will aim to maintain their dominant playoff form.
