Scoreboard: Thunder def. Lakers, 131-108
PHOTO⚡THUNDER | NBA Play-by-Play | CourtSketch
The Thunder continued to buzzsaw through the 2026 playoffs, going up 3-0 on the Lakers in front of a bummed LA crowd. Ajay Mitchell racked up a career high playoff points (24) and assists (10) and–after entering the half down 59-57–Oklahoma City's supporting cast walked all over the Hollywood stars in a 74-49 second half. OKC held both LeBron James and Austin Reaves under 20 points and 40% shooting, and it feels like 24-1 again1.
Shai Gorgeous-Alexander has been slowed as a scorer by kitchen-sink defense and mildly cold shooting against Los Angeles (he's dipped to 21ppg on 55.9% TS), but continues to have no issues setting the table for his teammates against the relaxed edges of the Lakers' defense and overmatched bench units. SGA (23 points, 9 assists, 3 stocks on .350/.429/.857) reined in his turnovers (2) and OKC dominated the margins on possessions (Reaves had 5 live ball TOs), rebounds (don't look now2, but OKC has gone from third-worst ORB% in the regular season to first in the playoffs), and that annoying, league-ruining physical defense making the NBA community3 smile these days.
Footnotes
Supporter access
Read on by becoming a Supporter
Daily Thunder is reader-supported and independent. Supporters unlock early and exclusive posts while helping keep DT free of clickbait, pop-ups, and gambling influence.
