LeBron James, Reaves, Lakers Fall Short in Game 2 as Fans React to Loss vs. SGA, Thunder
LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are still searching for a win through two games of the Western Conference semifinals.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 22 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder claimed an 125-107 Game 2 victory over the visiting Lakers on Thursday night.
James contributed 23 points for the Lakers in his 300th playoff game.
Fans praised the Lakers for their Game 2 effort despite the loss to the defending NBA champions.
The Thunder were meanwhile praised for their depth after dominating without Gilgeous-Alexander on the court while also playing the entire game without Jalen Williams.
The Thunder grabbed a first-quarter lead by taking advantage of early Lakers turnovers to go on a 10-0 run.
James, Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves led the Lakers on a comeback push to grab a one-point lead at the half.
Reaves looked to be in pain after his right arm was grabbed by Gilgeous-Alexander early in the third, but ultimately stayed in the game.
Gilgeous-Alexander subbed out with his fourth foul, at which point the Thunder took back the lead with 24-8 run.
James led the Lakers on a comeback push late in the game, but the Thunder closed out the victory with another run in the fourth.
Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren tied for the team lead with 22 points in the win. Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein both added nine rebounds while Jared McCain contributed 18 points off the bench.
Reaves led the Lakers with 31 points in the loss, while Hachimura contributed 16 points and DeAndre Ayton added 10 rebounds.
The Thunder committed fewer turnovers than the Lakers (21 to 14) while outshooting their opponents 56 percent to 50 percent from the field.
The Lakers were missing Luka Dončić, and the Thunder were missing Williams, due to the respective injuries that have sidelined them for the entirety of the playoffs so far.
Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt was also sidelined by the pinky injury he suffered in Game 2.
The series will now swing to Los Angeles, where the Lakers will have the chance to claim their first win of the series after Game 3 tips off Saturday night at 8:30 p.m. ET.
