After limiting Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to an 18-point, seven-turnover outing in Game 1, the Los Angeles Lakers did another good job on SGA in Game 2, holding the MVP to 22 points and just two assists, numbers that are far lower than Gilgeous-Alexander's season averages.
But despite LA containing SGA, the Oklahoma City Thunder are up 2-0 in this second-round series, which is especially daunting given the fact that OKC as a franchise has never lost a series after going up 2-0.
Thunder's supporting cast has been too much for Lakers to handle
With Gilgeous-Alexander contained, it's been OKC's other options that have given the Lakers problems. Jared McCain has been on fire off the bench, scoring 30 points across the first two games on a scorching 8-of-10 from 3. He's been the best bench player in the series by a mile.
Chet Holmgren is averaging 23.0 points and 10.5 rebounds through the first two games, proving to be an issue for LA on the glass. Ajay Mitchell has put in two solid performances of 18 points and 20 points, with 10 assists to just three turnovers across the two games.
LeBron James knows that OKC's entire team (not just SGA) is quality
When questioned after Game 2 why LA has struggled to capitalize on non-SGA minutes, LeBron James reminded reporters that the Thunder are a very good basketball team without Gilgeous-Alexander on the floor, and have been all season long.
This is an OKC team with a championship under its belt within the last calendar year. And while they're playing without Jalen Williams right now, the Thunder have two impact guards in McCain and Mitchell who weren't prominent contributors on the 2025 title team -- those guys have stepped up and replaced Williams' production quite nicely.
The Thunder are champions because their roster quality (and culture) goes far beyond Gilgeous-Alexander, and this current series is a great example of that. As the Lakers look ahead to Game 3, they shouldn't veer too far away from the blueprint they've taken so far with SGA. It's working. The scary thing is, the Lakers have played well in both games of this series, yet still find themselves in a 2-0 hole.
Lakers must limit turnovers in Game 3 against OKC to have a chance
The one thing you can point to as a sub-par element of Game 2 for LA was its 20 turnovers. That obviously can't happen again in Game 3 if the Lakers are intent on keeping this a competitive series. But ultimately, the Thunder are proving that they're just flat-out the better overall team, and that they're capable of beating the Lakers, even if LA doesn't beat itself, and if SGA isn't a huge factor. That's a tough pill for the Lakers to swallow.
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