The Oklahoma City Thunder wasted no time sending a message in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals, holding the Los Angeles Lakers to a 41.2% clip from the field and just 33.3% from three point range in a 108-90 victory on Tuesday night.
What made the win even more commanding was how Oklahoma City achieved it. The Thunder forced 18 Lakers turnovers and converted those mistakes into 20 points, while their bench outscored Los Angeles reserves 34-15. Even with Shai Gilgeous Alexander enduring a rough night by his standards seven turnovers to go with his 18 points Oklahoma City had more than enough elsewhere to take control and never look back.
Coach Mark Daigneault’s squad got progressively tighter defensively as the game went on, making adjustments in the second half that stifled whatever rhythm Los Angeles was trying to build. The Thunder’s 21 point margin of victory leaves little room for debate about who was the better team on the night.
Chet Holmgren takes over
If there was one player who defined the evening, it was Chet Holmgren. The 22 year old big man delivered a complete performance, finishing with 24 points on 9 of 17 shooting including a perfect 2 of 2 from three while pulling down 12 rebounds for a double double. He was equally effective on the defensive end, recording three blocks and routinely altering shots around the paint.
Holmgren’s ability to punish the Lakers from multiple areas of the floor made him virtually unguardable in stretches. He scored against both bigs and guards with equal efficiency, and his presence near the rim where he shot 63.6% on paint attempts kept the pressure on Los Angeles throughout the night.
Off the bench, Ajay Mitchell added 18 points on 43.8% shooting, while Jared McCain contributed 12 points on an efficient 80% from beyond the arc, giving Oklahoma City reliable production at every level of their rotation.
Lakers backcourt struggles to find answers
Los Angeles had the league’s fourth ranked offense entering the playoffs, but little of that translated in Game 1. The Lakers’ backcourt was particularly problematic, combining for just 20 points between Austin Reaves and Marcus Smart on a combined 7 of 31 from the field.
Reaves, who has been one of the team’s most consistent offensive options all season, finished with eight points on 3-of-16 shooting an 18.8% clip that reflected just how thoroughly Oklahoma City’s defense disrupted his rhythm. The guard also committed four turnovers and was a minus 10 for the game. Smart chipped in 12 points but needed 15 attempts to get there, converting just 26.7% of his shots, and his seven assists were offset by his own defensive lapses.
LeBron James did his part, delivering 27 points on a 70.6% shooting night that stood in jarring contrast to what was happening around him. Rui Hachimura added 18 points and Deandre Ayton posted a double double with 10 points and 12 rebounds, but those individual efforts were not nearly enough to compensate for how badly the backcourt struggled and how often the team gave the ball away.
What needs to change before Game 2
With Game 2 scheduled for Friday, the Lakers face a short turnaround to figure out how to get their guards going against one of the most disciplined defenses in the league. Oklahoma City’s ability to funnel driving lanes, contest pull ups and capitalize on every miscue was on full display, and the Thunder showed no signs that their effort was a one game fluke.
For Los Angeles to stay alive in this series, Reaves in particular will need to rediscover his shooting touch and be far more decisive with the ball. The Lakers cannot afford to spot a team as deep and organized as Oklahoma City an 18 point head start in every game.
Oklahoma City, meanwhile, holds an 88.6% win probability entering Game 2 according to current projections a number that underscores just how commanding their position already is after one night of work.
