The Oklahoma City Thunder routed the Los Angeles Lakers 125-107 on Thursday to grab a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference semi-final. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren each scored 22 points as OKC took control in the second half and extended their unbeaten playoff run to 6-0.
Austin Reaves led the Lakers with 31 points on 10-for-16 shooting, and LeBron James added 23, but Los Angeles were hampered by key absences and foul trouble. The Lakers were again without Luka Doncic, sidelined with a strained left hamstring, and reserve forward Jarred Vanderbilt remained out after dislocating a pinkie in Game 1. Three Lakers finished with five fouls, which limited the team’s late-game aggressiveness.
The game featured a volatile moment early in the third quarter when Gilgeous-Alexander was initially called for his fourth foul after tangling with Reaves; review upgraded the play to a flagrant-1 for the follow-through, and Oklahoma City’s Alex Caruso drew a technical during the exchange. Gilgeous-Alexander left the game with the Lakers leading 65-61, and the Thunder seized the momentum in his absence — outscoring L.A. 32-15 in the remainder of the third to lead 93-80 heading into the fourth. A late surge trimmed the deficit to five, but OKC pulled away down the stretch. On a fast break earlier in the quarter Holmgren fed Jaylin Williams for a three and-one that pushed the lead to 85-74.
Free throws favored the Thunder 26-21. Lakers coach JJ Redick criticised officiating after the loss, arguing that his team — and LeBron in particular — have not been getting the calls he expects. Reaves also voiced frustration after the game, saying a confrontation with crew chief John Goble left him feeling disrespected. Redick suggested opposing teams may benefit from keeping emotions in check, praising the Thunder for their calm, tight-knit approach.
In Detroit, the top-seeded Pistons moved ahead 2-0 in their second-round series by beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 107-97. Cade Cunningham posted 25 points and 10 assists while Tobias Harris added 21 to pace Detroit. The Pistons have now won five straight games, rebounding from an earlier scare in the first round.
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavs with 31 points and Jarrett Allen finished with 22 and seven rebounds, but Cleveland struggled from long range late — going 0-for-11 from three in the fourth quarter. James Harden struggled offensively for the Cavs, hitting just three of 13 shots and finishing with 10 points and four turnovers, including a costly turnover with 33 seconds remaining when Cleveland trailed by six.
Detroit led by double digits in the first half but didn’t clinch the win until the final minutes. Duncan Robinson hit five threes en route to 17 points, and reserve Daniss Jenkins contributed 14 off the bench — his third consecutive game in double figures. Robinson’s three-pointer with 9:40 left broke a tie, and Cunningham’s three with about two minutes remaining effectively sealed the victory.
Game 3 for both series is scheduled for Saturday, with the Lakers returning home to try to avoid falling into a 3-0 hole and the Cavaliers hosting the Pistons looking to answer in Cleveland. Cavs reserve Sam Merrill missed Game 2 with a hamstring issue, adding to Cleveland’s injury concerns as the series shifts venues.