The Oklahoma City Thunder saw Shai-Gilgeous Alexander exit Game 2 against the Los Angeles Lakers early in the third quarter. However, Chet Holmgren dominated on both ends of the court as the Thunder ended up 125-107 winners despite going at halftime with a one-point deficit.
Holmgren finished with 22 points, nine rebounds, four steals, two blocks and three assists, matching Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the team lead in scoring while also anchoring the defense. It was enough to earn some high praise from his head coach Mike Daigneault, per a post on X by Brandon Rahbar.
“He was unbelievable tonight. He's the ultimate winner anyways, but he was the ultimate winner tonight..There's nothing he can't do. When the light's are on, he's at his best,” he said.
Holmgren scored 24 points in Game 1, following it up with another efficient outing as he went 7-11 from the field. For the first time this postseason, OKC went in at halftime with a deficit.
However, it didn’t prove to be enough as they continue their unbeaten run despite the absence of Jalen Williams, who remains sidelined with a hamstring injury. Oklahoma City had six players score in double figures, with Ajay Mitchell producing 20 points and six assists as a starter, and rookie Jared McCain adding 18 points off the bench on 7-for-11 shooting and 4-for-5 from 3-point range.
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Instead of collapsing without their MVP frontrunner late-game, the Thunder completely took over the game. Oklahoma City outscored the Lakers 32-15 while Gilgeous-Alexander sat during the third quarter and turned a deficit into a commanding 93-80 lead entering the fourth.
Holmgren, Mitchell and McCain combined for 23 points in the quarter alone, directly outscoring the Lakers’ entire team total in the period. The Lakers briefly threatened in the fourth quarter by cutting the deficit to five points, but Oklahoma City responded again and closed the game comfortably.
The Thunder shot above 50% from the field and 38.9% from beyond the arc. For LA, Austin Reaves rebounded from his difficult Game 1 performance with a playoff career-high 31 points on 10-for-16 shooting while adding six assists, though he also committed five turnovers.
LeBron James followed his 27-point Game 1 with 23 points and six assists in Game 2, while Rui Hachimura and Luke Kennard combined for 26 points.
The Oklahoma City Thunder saw Shai-Gilgeous Alexander exit Game 2 against the Los Angeles Lakers early in the third quarter. However, Chet Holmgren dominated on both ends of the court as the Thunder ended up 125-107 winners despite going at halftime with a one-point deficit.