Thunder vs Lakers Game 2: OKC Takes 2-0 Lead in NBA Playoffs
Los Angeles couldn’t hold on without Luka Doncic, falling 125-107 to Oklahoma City. Austin Reaves scored 31, but 21 turnovers cost the Lakers.
“I feel like they were playing with more force, they were attacking harder...”
Oklahoma City surged in the closing minutes to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers 125-107 on Thursday, seizing a commanding 2-0 advantage in the Western Conference semi-final series.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, last season’s NBA MVP and a finalist again this year, finished with 22 points. Oklahoma City also made the most of 21 Los Angeles turnovers, spoiling LeBron James’ 300th career playoff appearance..
Detroit, the top seed in the Eastern Conference, also holds a 2-0 series lead following a 107-97 home victory over Cleveland.
OKC had a trio of 20-PT scorers in Game 2!
— NBA (@NBA) May 8, 2026
Chet: 22 PTS
SGA: 22 PTS
Mitchell: 20 PTS
Thunder take a 2-0 series lead in the West Semis 🍿 pic.twitter.com/eQKNQCd3Bz
In Oklahoma City, Gilgeous-Alexander wasn’t at his sharpest again, but he had plenty of help. Chet Holmgren posted 22 points and nine rebounds, Ajay Mitchell chipped in 20 points, and Jared McCain added 18 off the bench as the Thunder held off Austin Reaves’ 31-point night.
LeBron James, now the first player in NBA history to play 300 postseason games, finished with 23 points and six assists. The Lakers held a five-point lead early in the third quarter.
"It's just a next-man-up mentality... Jared McCain was just big-time tonight."
— NBA (@NBA) May 8, 2026
SGA shouts out Jared McCain (18 PTS, 4 3PM) after the Thunder win Game 2!
OKC takes a 2-0 series lead in Round 2 🍿 https://t.co/9Os4G0HlWQ pic.twitter.com/FVq7i9lfUD
Without Luka Doncic, still out with injury, Los Angeles couldn’t maintain its advantage even while Gilgeous-Alexander spent extended stretches on the bench in foul trouble.
Oklahoma City broke the game open with a 22-5 run to take control. The Thunder will look to stay on top when the series moves to Los Angeles for Games 3 and 4 on Saturday and Monday.
“We've got to be the aggressor,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I feel like they were playing with more force, they were attacking harder, making quicker decisions, playing with a better sense of urgency, especially in the first half.
“As long as we take care of that we should have our foot in the right direction.”
It was a physical game that left both sides frustrated with the referees. Gilgeous-Alexander was called for a flagrant foul, and he and James ended up on the floor under the basket following a late foul by Reaves.
Lakers coach JJ Redick criticized the officiating, saying the Thunder “have a few guys who commit a foul on every possession.”
He still made clear that the officials weren’t to blame, adding: “We didn't lose because of the refs.”
Final pic.twitter.com/NqFndR5CFn
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) May 8, 2026
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