Thunder Dominate Lakers in Game 1 with Strong Defense and Holmgren’s Breakout Performance

Wed, 06 May 2026 19:21:00 +0200

In Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals, the Oklahoma City Thunder overwhelmed the Los Angeles Lakers 108–90, primarily due to their stifling defense. While the Thunder shot efficiently—49% from the field and 43% from three-point range—the Lakers struggled with turnovers and poor shooting, particularly from their backcourt. Austin Reaves, Marcus Smart, and Luke Kennard combined for only 27 points on 8-of-35 shooting, highlighting the urgent need for improvement from Los Angeles' perimeter players. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s seven turnovers further hindered the Lakers' offense, despite strong contributions from LeBron James (27 points) and Deandre Ayton (10 points, 12 rebounds). Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren was the standout, scoring 24 points, securing 12 rebounds, and effectively altering Lakers shots defensively. His versatile offensive performance, combined with his shot-blocking, underscores his growth as a player this season. The Thunder’s bench also outperformed Los Angeles