Thunder Defeat Lakers 108-90 in Game 1 of Western Conference Semifinals

The Los Angeles Lakers entered Game 1 of their series against the Oklahoma City Thunder aware they would need to defeat the reigning champions on their home court without their best player. On Tuesday at Paycom Arena the Lakers jumped to an early lead, held reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander under 20 points for the first time in nearly a year, and were winning the turnover battle midway through the third quarter.

With 1:44 left in the first quarter the Lakers led 24-22 after executing a game plan that included doubling Shai Gilgeous-Alexander beyond half court. LeBron James scored a game-high 27 points with six assists and four rebounds before the Thunder responded with a 14-2 run once he went to the bench for a brief rest.

By the time James returned just over a minute into the second quarter Oklahoma City had built a double-digit lead it never relinquished. The Lakers committed 17 turnovers in the game, 10 of them in the second half, which the Thunder turned into 21 second-chance points.

Los Angeles shot 30 percent from three-point range while Oklahoma City made 43.3 percent, nine percentage points above its season average and enough to account for a nine-point swing.

Reaves, in his third game back from a Grade 2 oblique strain, finished 3-for-16 from the field and 0-for-5 from three-point range. According to ESPN Insights his 18.8 percent shooting was the lowest by any Lakers player in a postseason game with at least 15 attempts in 35 years.

Reaves said he reached his spots multiple times but missed easy shots. The Lakers were unable to maintain execution when James rested. Turnovers, errant passes and missed open shots prevented sustained rallies in the second half. Head coach J.J. Redick said after the game that the margin for error against the defending champions was not high and that too many mistakes occurred.

City’s role players stepped up while the Lakers held Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in check. The Thunder showed no drop-off when their starters rested, maintaining tempo and defensive connectivity throughout the game. Redick described the Thunder as a well-oiled machine with interchangeable parts.

The final score of 108-90 marked the Lakers’ sixth straight loss to Oklahoma City over the past two seasons. The average margin of defeat in those games stands at 27 points. James said the team experienced game-plan breakdowns that allowed the Thunder to go on runs and open double-digit leads.

"We had gameplan breakdowns. It can be a two-possession game and then boom, they go on a run and have a double-digit lead. com) The Lakers will face the Thunder again in Game 2 with the series continuing in Oklahoma City.