Thunder Down Lakers in Western Conference Semifinals Opener
Theo Al Jazeera English
Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 108-90 in Game 1 of the NBA Western Conference Semifinals. LeBron James scored 27 points but the Lakers mustered their lowest playoff output since 2021. Chet Holmgren led the Thunder with 24 points and 12 rebounds.
The Oklahoma City Thunder opened the Western Conference semifinals with a convincing 108-90 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night at Paycom Center.
Despite LeBron James leading the Lakers with 27 points on 12-of-17 shooting, the visitors could not spring an upset against the defending champions. The Lakers started well but fell behind late in the first quarter and never regained control.
Chet Holmgren led the Thunder with 24 points and 12 rebounds, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Ajay Mitchell each added 18 points. Gilgeous-Alexander credited Thunder's defense for holding the Lakers to their lowest playoff scoring output since 2021: “We try to push opponents out of their comfort zone. It's that simple.”
Lakers coach JJ Redick blamed unforced errors: “Mistakes hurt us. You’re facing the world champions; the margin for error is tiny. We have to improve.”
Alongside James, Rui Hachimura scored 18 points, Marcus Smart 12 and Deandre Ayton 10 for the Lakers. The Thunder swept the first round 4-0, winning by an average margin of 29.3 points.
Pistons Edge Past Cavaliers
In the other Eastern Conference playoff game Tuesday, the Detroit Pistons defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 111-101 in their semifinal opener. Cade Cunningham led with 23 points, as six other Pistons scored in double figures.
The Pistons led by as many as 17 points in the third quarter, but the Cavaliers cut the deficit to four in the final period. Detroit held on, powered by Tobias Harris (20 points) and Duncan Robinson (19 points, five three-pointers).
Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 23 points (including four three-pointers), and James Harden added 22 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Cunningham told NBC: “It was a great team win, but it's only one game. We have to do it again.”
The top-seeded Pistons advanced to the semifinals by rallying from a 1-3 series deficit to beat Orlando 4-3 in the first round. Cunningham acknowledged the team’s desire to protect home court: “They came in wanting to steal a game, so we've got to do it again the day after tomorrow.”
