On Thursday, the Oklahoma City Thunder dominated the Los Angeles Lakers 125-107 to go up 2-0 in the Western Conference Semifinals. At every which way turn, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was front and center.
He successfully maneuvered past the Lakers to finish with 22 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists. Ultimately, it became a contest to determine who had the greater physical will.
There were complaints about the officiating, and Austin Reaves argued with the referees about a flagrant foul by Gilgeous-Alexander.
Afterward, Gilgeous-Alexander let it be known that the Thunder's physical supremacy enabled them to win.
“The way basketball works, usually the more physical team, the team that imposes their will more, just wins,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “And that's probably why we won tonight, and why we won the last game.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on the physicality throughout the Thunder's second-round series against the Lakers:
"The way basketball works, usually the more physical team, the team that imposes their will more, just wins. And that's probably why we won tonight, and why we won the… pic.twitter.com/7MPoxpWW5A
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 8, 2026
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In the first half, the game was competitive. It was the Lakers who held the edge, attacking the paint while shooting 7-for-14 (50%) from the field, overcoming the Thunder's elite defense. At the same time, the Lakers contained the Thunder at the 3-point line, going 5-for-20 (25%).
The Lakers led at the half, 58-57.
In the second half, the Thunder stepped up their game. They outscored the Lakers 36-22 in the second and got plenty of production from Ajay Mitchell and Jared McCain. This was after Gilgeous-Alexander picked up his fourth foul.
Game 2 became almost a repeat of Game 1. The Lakers kept the first half close, before the Thunder ran away with it in the second half.
The series now switches to Los Angeles with Game 3 scheduled for Saturday at 6:30 pm CST/7:30 pm EST.
On Thursday, the Oklahoma City Thunder dominated the Los Angeles Lakers 125-107 to go up 2-0 in the Western Conference Semifinals. At every which way turn, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was front and center. He successfully maneuvered past the Lakers to finish with 22 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists.