TITLE: Thunder Control Fourth Quarter, Defeat Lakers 108-90 in Second-Round Opener
SLUG: thunder-beat-lakers-108-90-game-1-2026-playoffs
CONTENT:
The Oklahoma City Thunder opened the Western Conference semifinals with a 108-90 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on May 5, 2026, at Paycom Center, taking a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Los Angeles, coming off a first-round upset of the Houston Rockets, entered Game 1 without injured guard Luka Doncic and was labeled a heavy underdog against the defending NBA champions. LeBron James scored the game’s first five points and helped the Lakers build a quick 7-0 cushion, but Oklahoma City answered with a 9-2 spurt led by Lu Dort’s three-pointer to even the contest.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was held in check early, yet the Thunder used frequent trips to the free-throw line to claim their first advantage at 16-14. Oklahoma City finished the opening period ahead 31-26 after Gilgeous-Alexander and Rui Hachimura exchanged baskets once James went to the bench.
The Thunder stretched the margin to double digits with five straight points to begin the second quarter. Deandre Ayton responded with three consecutive field goals, but Los Angeles absorbed a setback when Jarred Vanderbilt exited after injuring a finger while contesting Chet Holmgren at the rim. Holmgren continued to score inside, and Oklahoma City led 61-53 at halftime despite late three-pointers from Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard.
Smart opened the third quarter with back-to-back buckets, and Hachimura drilled two threes to pull the Lakers within four. Each Los Angeles surge was met by an Oklahoma City answer; Austin Reaves committed two turnovers, and rookie guard Ajay Mitchell converted a four-point play that helped the Thunder carry an 84-72 edge into the final period.
The Lakers showed signs of fatigue in the fourth. Alex Caruso produced key plays on both ends, and Jared McCain heated up from the perimeter, extending the gap to 19 points and sealing the outcome.
Series Schedule
Game 2: Thursday, May 7 – Paycom Center, 6:30 p.m. PT (Prime)
Game 3: Saturday, May 9 – Crypto.com Arena, 5:30 p.m. PT (ABC)
Game 4: Monday, May 11 – Crypto.com Arena, 7:30 p.m. PT (Prime)
Game 5*: Wednesday, May 13 – Paycom Center, TBD
Game 6*: Saturday, May 16 – Crypto.com Arena, TBD
Game 7*: Monday, May 18 – Paycom Center, TBD
*If necessary
The Thunder will try to widen their advantage in Game 2, while the Lakers look to even the series before it shifts to Los Angeles.
Source: LakersNation.com
