The Oklahoma City Thunder handily defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals, continuing the path towards another NBA Finals Championship. The win on Tuesday wasn’t as easy as the final score of 108-90, though.
The Lakers frustrated Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in particular with physical defense, forcing the ball out of his hands on many possessions, leading to a season-high 7 turnovers for the reigning MVP. The abnormal performance from SGA in Game 1 is not likely to happen again, though, so don’t be surprised if he comes out tonight quite a bit sharper for Game 2.
Winning in the Playoffs has a lot to do with matchups. You can only worry about the team in front of you, not the one you may play in the next round. Right now, the Lakers are a good matchup for the Thunder at basically every level of the game. OKC’s defense is the best in the league, capable of slowing down Los Angeles, regardless of who is healthy. The Thunder offense can get hot out of nowhere, and while Shai is typically the engine, the Thunder’s depth extends so far that a subpar defense like LA’s is bound to be a victim.
The game plan doesn’t change too much for OKC in Game 2. Take care of the ball, play with energy and physicality on defense, and be patient under all circumstances. Los Angeles is older in years, but OKC is rich in experience, and the Thunder’s philosophy of steady consistency leads to constant winning. Taking a 2-0 lead is not just the hope or wish for Thunder fans, it’s the expectation.
Game Details
Tip-Off: 8:30 PM CT
Location: Paycom Center
Television: NBA on Prime
Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC The Sports Animal
Twitter: Follow @ZacharyLowNBA for live tweets and discussion during the game
Game Notes: Oklahoma City Thunder Official Game Notes, Los Angeles Lakers Official Game Notes
Projected Starters
Thunder
- PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- SG: Ajay Mitchell
- SF: Luguentz Dort
- PF: Chet Holmgren
- C: Isaiah Hartenstein
Lakers
- PG: Austin Reaves
- SG: Marcus Smart
- SF: Rui Hachimura
- PF: LeBron James
- C: Deandre Ayton
Injury Report
Thunder
- Thomas Sorber (right ACL surgical recovery) is OUT.
- Jalen Williams (right hamstring injury management) is OUT.
Lakers
- Luka Doncic (strained left hamstring) is OUT.
- Luke Kennard (neck soreness) is QUESTIONABLE.
- Jarred Vanderbilt (dislocated right finger) is DOUBTFUL.
Head-to-Head
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 34-29 against the Lakers (18-13 at home, 16-16 on the road) in the regular season and 7-5 (6-1 at home, 1-4 on the road) in the Playoffs.
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder has won the season series against the Lakers 8 times, lost 7 times, and tied it twice.
- The Thunder went 4-0 against the Lakers in the regular season (2-0 at home, 2-0 on the road).
- OKC is 1-0 against Los Angeles in the Western Conference Semifinals (1-0 at home, 0-0 on the road).