NBA Recap: Thunder Dominate Lakers 108-90 in Game 1 to Take Series Lead

Thunder’s balanced attack too much for Lakers in game 1

The result extends Oklahoma City’s dominance over the Lakers this season, following a 4-0 regular-season sweep by an average of 29.3 points.

LeBron James scored 27 in defeat as Los Angeles struggled after an early bright start, with Jarred Vanderbilt leaving due to a dislocated finger...

The defending champions leaned on a balanced attack and a lockdown defense to pull away, after the shorthanded Lakers made a strong start but couldn’t keep pace beyond the first quarter.

Chet Holmgren paced Oklahoma City with 24 points and 12 rebounds, while reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Ajay Mitchell each chipped in 18.

The emphatic win highlighted how steep the climb is for the fourth-seeded Lakers if they hope to overturn the champions in the best-of-seven matchup.

It continued Oklahoma City’s regular-season dominance over Los Angeles, with the Thunder sweeping all four meetings by an average of 29.3 points.

MCCAIN HITS BACK-TO-BACK THREES 🔥

OKC is up 14 in Q4 of Game 1! pic.twitter.com/zU1QvvdkDB

— NBA (@NBA) May 6, 2026

The series opener at Paycom Center followed the same pattern, as the champions widened the gap late to secure a decisive result.

“We were a little choppy, a little rusty, but offensively we just stuck with it,” Gilgeous-Alexander said, saluting a Thunder defense that restricted the Lakers to their lowest score in a playoff game since 2021.

“We just try to make people play outside their comfort zone, as simple as that,” Gilgeous-Alexander said of the Thunder defense. “Whatever guys like to do, we like to take away from them.”

At 41, LeBron James once again carried the Lakers offensively, finishing with 27 points after helping them upset Houston 4-2 in the opening round.

The replay shows Jarred Vanderbilt smacked his right hand on the backboard while trying to go for this chasedown block on Chet Holmgren.

Prayers up for Vando 🙏pic.twitter.com/EQcpJ6RLO2 https://t.co/KdKU4g08S7

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 6, 2026

Rui Hachimura scored 18, with Marcus Smart contributing 12 and DeAndre Ayton adding 10.

Los Angeles also lost Jarred Vanderbilt after he suffered a full dislocation of his right pinky while contesting a shot, leaving his availability for Game 2 in doubt.

Thunder takes Game 1 😤 pic.twitter.com/tfY9nUGqWj

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) May 6, 2026