The Oklahoma City Thunder are still immaculate in the playoffs after sweeping the Los Angeles Lakers in their second-round series on Monday. The Thunder also finished off the Phoenix Suns in four games in their first-round matchup.
The Thunder are back in the conference finals and are on track to defend their championship. At this point, there is no question that they are the clear favorites among the remaining squads.
Unlike in their first three meetings, Oklahoma City was heavily challenged by the Lakers in Game 4. There were also stretches in the best-of-seven affair when Los Angeles looked like the better team, while also limiting Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The Thunder, however, always had a response. Still, coach Mark Daigneault acknowledged that they learned a lot against the Lakers, as reported by The Athletic's Joel Lorenzi.
“Daigneault mentioned the lessons these Lakers taught the Thunder, specifically ‘a lot of mixing defenses,'” wrote Lorenzi on X.
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“‘That's about as aggressively as we've been double-teamed in a while. Certainly in a playoff series.' Likened it to the amount of zone Denver (Nuggets) played in the West semis a year ago.”
Gilgeous-Alexander had to pick his spots and keep the ball moving as he was continually swarmed by the Lakers. He saved his best for last in Game 4, tallying a game-high 35 points on 11-of-22 shooting and eight assists.
Ajay Mitchell and Chet Holmgren were also terrific versus the Purple and Gold, with the former having a breakout run in the absence of Jalen Williams, who is out with a hamstring injury.
With the way they have been destroying everyone in their path, the Thunder are likely to extend their reign.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are still immaculate in the playoffs after sweeping the Los Angeles Lakers in their second-round series on Monday. The Thunder also finished off the Phoenix Suns in four games in their first-round matchup. The Thunder are back in the conference finals and are on track to defend their championship.