The Oklahoma City Thunder entered the 2026 Playoffs as the heavy favorites to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy, and through five games, they haven’t just met expectations—they’ve obliterated them. After completing a ruthless first-round sweep of the Phoenix Suns, the Thunder opened their second-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers with a dominant 108-90 victory.
But while the rest of the NBA looks at a 18-point blowout win as a statement, Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sees it as a “choppy” performance that needs cleaning up.
The “Rust” Factor
Following a long layoff after their first-round sweep, there were questions about whether OKC would lose their rhythm. While the final score suggests otherwise, SGA admitted to Zora Stephenson post-game that the team didn’t feel they were at their sharpest.
”We were a little choppy, a little rusty tonight offensively,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “They are obviously sending a lot of bodies at me; those guys stepped up to the plate confidently, that’s all you could ask for.”
The fact that the Thunder can win by nearly 20 points against LeBron James and the Lakers while feeling “rusty” is a terrifying prospect for the rest of the playoff field.
Elite Depth Overcomes Injury
The Thunder’s victory was even more impressive considering they are currently without their third star, Jalen Williams, who remains sidelined. Despite his absence, OKC’s “elite depth” was on full display:
- The Anchors: SGA and Chet Holmgren controlled the pace and the paint.
- The Role Players: With the Lakers throwing double and triple-teams at Shai, the Thunder’s supporting cast stepped up, proving why they are considered the deepest rotation in the league.
- The Defensive Clamp: Holding a LeBron-led offense to just 90 points underscores the defensive identity Régis Le Bris (or Mark Daigneault) has instilled in this championship-caliber squad.
LeBron and the Lakers: Against the Odds
For the Lakers, Game 1 was a sobering reminder of the mountain they have to climb. Austin Reaves and LeBron James both acknowledged the quality of this OKC team, with Reaves even addressing the pre-game chatter regarding the free-throw shooting battle between himself and SGA.
However, “keeping up” on the road proved impossible. The Lakers struggled with OKC’s length and athleticism, and if the Thunder truly were “rusty,” the adjustments coming in Game 2 could make for an even steeper uphill battle for Los Angeles.
The Verdict: Chasing Perfection
SGA’s lack of satisfaction after a blowout win signals the mindset of a team that isn’t just looking to win, but to dominate. With the Thunder now 5-0 in the postseason, the focus moves to Game 2, where a “cleaner” offensive performance could effectively put this series out of reach before it even heads to Hollywood.
Stat to Watch: Despite the “choppy” offense, the Thunder’s ball movement led to a deep rotation of scorers, neutralizing the Lakers’ attempt to take the ball out of SGA’s hands.
