finance
Lakers Fall to Thunder in Game 2 of Western Conference Semifinals
The Los Angeles Lakers lost 125-101 to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday in Game 2 of their NBA Western Conference semifinal series. The Thunder lead the best-of-seven series 2-0. LeBron James scored 23 points while Austin Reaves added 31, but the Lakers played without injured guard Luka Dončić.
May 8, 2:33 AM·2m read4 sources
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The Los Angeles Lakers lost 125-101 to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 2 of their second-round Western Conference playoff series on Thursday at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. The defeat mirrored the Lakers' Game 1 loss and their four regular-season defeats against the Thunder.
The Thunder forced 20 turnovers that led to fast-break scoring opportunities. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander played only 28 minutes because of foul trouble but still recorded 22 points on 7-for-13 shooting. LeBron James scored 23 points on 9-for-18 shooting with six assists.
He made all four of his free-throw attempts and expressed annoyance with the Thunder's physical play that went uncalled. Austin Reaves posted 31 points on 10-for-16 shooting after scoring eight points in Game 1. The Lakers competed closely enough to mount several double-digit runs that narrowed the gap.
The Thunder responded each time with runs of their own. Chet Holmgren scored 22 points, Ajay Mitchell added 20, Jared McCain had 18 and Cason Wallace contributed 12.
Dončić has not played in the series because of a Grade 2 left hamstring strain suffered 5 1/2 weeks ago in Oklahoma City. He told reporters before Game 2 that doctors initially projected an eight-week recovery period. Dončić has received non-invasive treatment in Spain and has only participated in stationary shooting drills without clearance to run.
The Lakers went 0-4 against the Thunder in the regular season even in games Dončić played. Neither the Lakers nor Dončić face pressure to rush his return before full healing to avoid reinjury. Game 3 is scheduled for Saturday in Los Angeles with the Lakers trailing 0-2 in the series.
The Lakers plan to reduce turnovers, draw more fouls and maintain defensive pressure on the Thunder's perimeter shooters. The Thunder's depth and outside shooting have limited the effectiveness of those adjustments through the first two games. The Lakers kept the contest competitive for stretches despite the final margin.
