Bloody, bruised OKC Thunder 'love' physicality while taking 2-0 lead vs Lakers

Oklahoma City's Ajay Mitchell (25) before the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, May, 7, 2026.

Oklahoma City's Isaiah Hartenstein (55) walks in before the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, May, 7, 2026.

Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) before the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, May, 7, 2026.

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 2 NBA Playoffs, see top photos

Oklahoma City's Chet Holmgren (7) walks in before the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, May, 7, 2026.

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 2 NBA Playoffs, see top photos

Oklahoma City's Chet Holmgren (7) walks in before the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, May, 7, 2026.

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 2 NBA Playoffs, see top photos

Oklahoma City's Ajay Mitchell (25) before the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, May, 7, 2026.

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 2 NBA Playoffs, see top photos

Oklahoma City's Isaiah Hartenstein (55) walks in before the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, May, 7, 2026.

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 2 NBA Playoffs, see top photos

Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) before the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, May, 7, 2026.

"It's kind of like the same one that keeps getting open," Hartenstein said of the cut on his knee. "But if I'm bleeding, I know I'm playing hard."

Hartenstein might've been the only Thunder player who bled Thursday, but the entire team showcased the competitive juices that flow through its veins. It sported bruises like a badge of honor, no matter how many the Lakers handed out.

It didn't matter if Ajay Mitchell inadvertently got smacked in the face by Marcus Smart while defending a drive during the first half. The sophomore guard continued to embrace contact on the next play, as he bulldozed his way to the rim for a layup.

And it didn't matter if Shai Gilgeous-Alexander got pulled down to the floor by Austin Reaves during a layup attempt near the end of the game. He eventually rose to both his feet and the occasion by sinking a massive 3-pointer in the final five minutes.

That was the knockout blow by OKC. One of the many bruises handed out by a team that didn’t just match Los Angeles’ physicality. It raised it on offense and defense, where it forced 21 turnovers.

”The way basketball works, usually the more physical team and the team that imposes its will more just wins,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “And that’s probably why we won tonight. It’s probably why we won the last game. We did a good job, especially in the second half, of really playing our style of basketball. Being physical. Pressuring them. Making things uncomfortable.”

In the menu of ways to win a basketball game, playing with physicality is among the vegetables. It’s one of the essentials for growth, even if not every young team enjoys it.

But that has never been an issue for the Thunder. It has remained dedicated to its diet throughout the years, which has helped it steadily grow stronger.

More: OKC Thunder turns tide in Game 2 vs Lakers not with its MVP but with its depth

Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) celebrates a basket during Game 2 of the NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, May, 7, 2026.

That’s one of the many signs of maturity from OKC, and another is the way it reacted when fouls were called against it on Thursday. Or when it didn’t get the calls it wanted. It saved its breath during the marathon of a matchup by keeping complaints to a minimum, something Los Angeles didn’t do.

Even after the final buzzer sounded, the Lakers’ players huddled around the officials to voice their frustrations with Reaves leading that angry mob. Never mind that the Thunder only attempted five more free throws despite recording seven more drives. Or that the Lakers have led the NBA in total free throw differential during three of the last four regular seasons, including this past one (plus-457).

Meanwhile, OKC’s players could be seen laughing and smiling from just a few feet away. They seemed to get some enjoyment out of the commotion, just like they enjoyed the physicality of playoff basketball all night.

“It just makes the game more fun,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Certain things get let go that usually don’t, and it’s just basketball at the end of the day. This time of year is the purest form of the sport and of the game. I definitely love this form of it, for sure.”

OKC now holds a 2-0 lead in the second-round playoff series. And as it travels to Los Angeles for the next two contests, it can expect the Lakers to fight hard for their playoff lives.

That’s fine by the Thunder. If anything, that’s preferred.

A win doesn’t have to be pretty, and neither does the aftermath.

“I’m used to it now,” said Hartenstein, who joked about keeping some extra leg sleeves on deck. “I know my knees aren’t gonna be model knees after this anyways.”

Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jmartinez@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for theThunder Sports Minute newsletterto access more NBA coverage. Support Justin's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing adigital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.

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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Thunder was bloody, bruised, but 'loved' Game 2 physicality vs. Lakers