Jeff Zillgitt, reporting for NBA.COM;
The Los Angeles Lakers led the Oklahoma City Thunder at halftime and had a five-point lead early in the third quarter.
It looked like the Lakers were playing well enough to make it anyone’s game in the fourth quarter. That didn’t happen because the Thunder did what they have done all season – control the third quarter.
The Thunder owned the league’s best third-quarter net rating during the regular season, outscoring opponents by 10.9 points per 100 possessions.
By the time the third quarter ended, the Thunder were up 13 points – and on their way to a 125-107 victory over the Lakers in Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal series Thursday.
Game 3 and 4 will be Los Angeles, which will give the Lakers, especially the bench, some confidence to face the defending champs.
Game highlights;
SGA 👏
Thunder win Game 2.
Improve to 6-0 in the postseason.
Take a 2-0 series lead in Round 2. https://t.co/pqQinnfwND pic.twitter.com/jo7FfmM3RQ— NBA (@NBA) May 8, 2026
OKC had a trio of 20-PT scorers in Game 2!
Chet: 22 PTS
SGA: 22 PTS
Mitchell: 20 PTSThunder take a 2-0 series lead in the West Semis 🍿 pic.twitter.com/eQKNQCd3Bz
— NBA (@NBA) May 8, 2026
Chet stuffed the stat sheet in Game 2 👏
22 PTS
9 REB
3 AST
4 STL (career-high in a postseason game)
2 BLK
3 3PMThunder take a 2-0 series lead in the West Semis! https://t.co/3gB21f4y0W pic.twitter.com/aAhEmJKTzB
— NBA (@NBA) May 8, 2026