Overview
- Oklahoma City beat Los Angeles 108-90 on Tuesday to open the Western semifinal and take a 1-0 series lead.
- The Lakers sent frequent double-teams at MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, holding him to 18 points with seven turnovers as Marcus Smart hounded him.
- After halftime, the Thunder lifted ball screens to near midcourt, which gave Gilgeous-Alexander space and sparked quick swing passes to open shooters like Jared McCain.
- Oklahoma City turned 12 offensive rebounds into 21 points because traps pulled Lakers off box-outs, as coach Mark Daigneault noted.
- Los Angeles scored only 90 points, its fewest in a playoff game since 2021, and Marcus Smart said he must shoot better while promising different looks for Gilgeous-Alexander, as JJ Redick listed Jarred Vanderbilt doubtful for Thursday’s Game 2 with a dislocated right pinkie.