The Lakers lost to the Thunder 125-107 in Game 2, trailing 0-2 in the playoff series. Key issues included 21 turnovers leading to 26 points for Oklahoma City.
Key points
Lakers lost 125-107 to Thunder in Game 2
Lakers trail 0-2 in playoff series
Lakers committed 21 turnovers
Thunder scored 26 points off Lakers' turnovers
Thunder had 17 second-chance points
LakersThunder
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Lakers, one again, were so close.
But they kept getting in their own way in their 125-107 Game 2 loss to the Thunder at Paycom Center.
The Lakers had too many self-inflicted wounds, like their 21 turnovers for 26 OKC points.
Or the 17 second-chance points they allowed the Thunder to score, wasting the strong moments of halfcourt defense they had.
The Lakers had too many self-inflicted wounds, like their 21 turnovers for 26 OKC points. AP
The Lakers had too many self-inflicted wounds, like their 21 turnovers for 26 OKC points. AP
Or the 17 second-chance points they allowed the Thunder to score, wasting the strong moments of halfcourt defense they had. NBAE via Getty Images
Or the 17 second-chance points they allowed the Thunder to score, wasting the strong moments of halfcourt defense they had. NBAE via Getty Images
Q&A
What was the score of the Lakers vs. Thunder Game 2?
The Lakers lost to the Thunder 125-107 in Game 2.
How many turnovers did the Lakers have in Game 2 against the Thunder?
The Lakers had 21 turnovers in Game 2.
What are the Lakers' current standings in the playoff series against the Thunder?
The Lakers are currently trailing 0-2 in the playoff series against the Thunder.
How many second-chance points did the Thunder score against the Lakers?
The Thunder scored 17 second-chance points against the Lakers.
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Because even with Austin Reaves bouncing back from a purtid Game 1 performance with a playoff career-high 31 points to go with 6 assists, Game 2 was defined by the Lakers’ mistakes.
And the Thunder capitalized off them.
LeBron James had 23 points and 6 assists. Rui Hachimura (16 points) and Luke Kennard (10 points) combined for 26 points, but the Lakers wasted a strong shooting night (50% from the field, 37.9% on 3s).
Chet Holmgren led the Thunder with 22 points, 9 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 assists and 2 blocked shots. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 22 points. Ajay Mitchell recorded 20 points and 6 assists, while Jared McCain had 18 points off the bench.
LeBron James had 23 points and 6 assists. AP
LeBron James had 23 points and 6 assists. AP
What it means
The Lakers are now trailing 2-0 in the best-of-seven second round series.
Under the 2-2-1-1-1 home/away pattern, the team with homecourt advantage has a 221-19 all-time record in playoff series after taking a 2-0 lead since the NBA moved to a 16-team playoff in 1984.
Turning point
When Gilgeous-Alexander picked up his fourth personal and a Flagrant Foul penalty one foul at the 10:34 mark of the third quarter.
Reaves made a pair of flagrant free throws, and a technical free throw after Alex Caruso was assessed a technical from the bench, to put the Lakers up 66-61 as Gilgeous-Alexander subbed out and went to the bench for the remainder of the quarter.
Usually, this would be a positive moment for an opponent when the reigning MVP has to watch nearly an entire quarter from the bench.
That wasn’t the case for the Lakers, who were outscored 32-14 in the final 10 ½ minutes of the third.
Jared McCain (8 points), Holmgren (8) and Mitchell (7) combined for 23 points in the third, with the trio outscoring the Lakers, who had 22 points in the third.
That wasn’t the case for the Lakers, who were outscored 32-14 in the final 10 ½ minutes of the third. NBAE via Getty Images
That wasn’t the case for the Lakers, who were outscored 32-14 in the final 10 ½ minutes of the third. NBAE via Getty Images
MVP: Ajay Mitchell
The second-year guard continues his breakout season with another strong playoff performance.
He was the biggest reason why the Thunder won the non-Gilgeous-Alexander minutes in the second, scoring 11 points of his scoring total in the quarter.
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That’s how many points the Thunder outscored the Lakers by when Gilgeous-Alexander wasn’t on the floor before Redick subbed out his main rotation players with 2:14 left, with his team down 120-103.
The Lakers also struggled in the non-Gilgeous-Alexander minutes in Game 1, being outscored on Tuesday when Gilgeous-Alexander was on the bench.
Up next
Game 3 of Lakers-Thunder will tip off at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena.
