NBA playoffs news: OKC Thunder cruise past LeBron James’ LA Lakers to claim Game 1

The reigning NBA champions, the OKC Thunder, took down LeBron James and the LA Lakers 90-108 in Game 1 of their Western Conference semi-finals match-up.

The game took place on Tuesday night at Payton Center, Oklahoma.

OKC, the heavy favourites, comfortably rolled aside the shorthanded LA Lakers, despite James leading the game in scoring, writes Sports News Blitz’s Oliver Carter.

No help for LeBron James

At age 41, James is still leading playoff games in scoring, putting the shorthanded Lakers on his back.

Every single member of the Lakers who played more than two minutes finished the game with a negative +/-, as well as four players shooting under 40% from the field.

Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard, who showed up massively in the first three games of the Lakers' first-round series against the Rockets, both had terrible nights.

Kennard only attempted four shots, making only one three-pointer, alongside four free-throws for just seven points on 25% shooting.

Marcus Smart also struggled, managing 12 points on just 4/15 shooting; however, he contributed seven assists and four steals, slightly offsetting the damage done by his poor shooting.

Austin Reaves, who averaged 23.3 points in the regular season, has continued to struggle since returning from injury in Game 5 of the Lakers' first-round match-up.

He ended with just eight points in 36 minutes of play on just 3/16 shooting, Reaves missed the final five games of the regular season, and the first four of the playoffs with a left-oblique muscle strain.

James and the Lakers will need their low-shooting percentages to turn around if the Lakers have any hope of taking down the reigning champs.

LA also lacks the presence of Luka Doncic, who averaged 33.5 points per game, leading the league, alongside 7.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists in the regular season.

Doncic suffered a left hamstring strain in the same game that Reaves picked up his injury.

The Slovenian is out indefinitely but has been seen on the court during Lakers practise sessions.

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Under 20 points? No Problem for SGA

Reigning MVP and favourite to win again, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the most consistent scoring threats the NBA has ever seen, proven by his record for the longest 20+ point-scoring streak in NBA history.

Gilgeous-Alexander only managed 18 points, as well as six assists, a steal and two blocks.

This record hasn’t come to an end though, as it only tracks during the regular season. It shows how big of an outlier this game was for the Canadian.

Gilgeous-Alexander also struggled with his ball security, turning the ball over seven times, while he usually averages just 2.2 turnovers per game.

While the usual second option for OKC, Jalen Williams, is out injured after suffering a left hamstring strain in Game 2 of the Thunder’s first round match-up vs the Phoenix Suns, the rest of the supporting cast stepped up massively.

Defensive Player of the Year runner-up, Chet Holmgren led the Thunder in scoring with 24 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks, alongside Ajay Mitchell with 18 points and mid-season trade acquisition Jared McCain with 12 points, nine of which came in the fourth quarter.

Looking ahead to Game 2

LA will have entered this series knowing how difficult an away win will be to pick up, however, when they are shooting their way out of games - adjustment is clearly necessary.

Reaves will have to improve his efficiency massively, and while Marcus Smart will need to improve his efficiency also, the former Defensive Player of the Year needs to continue to keep Gilgeous-Alexander at bay for as long as he can.

The Thunder will be happy with their win in Game 1 after sweeping the Phoenix Suns. They will look to make quick work of the Lakers and also stay as fresh and rested as possible as they look to go back-to-back.

OKC will also be happy that they won despite their leading man having his lowest scoring performance in over a year.

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