The Oklahoma City Thunder have officially reached “untouchable” status. By dismantling the Los Angeles Lakers 108-90 in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals, OKC became only the fifth reigning NBA Champion in the last 30 years to start their postseason with a perfect 5-0 record.
The most terrifying part for the rest of the league? They haven’t even played their best basketball yet.
A Depth-Defying Victory
Game 1 was a masterclass in roster depth. Even with the reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander being held to just 18 points—his first sub-20-point performance since the 2025 postseason—the Thunder never wavered.
- The Defense: OKC stifled the Lakers, holding them to just 90 points on 41.2% shooting.
- The Rotation: Mark Daigneault utilized a 10-man rotation, wearing down the Lakers’ starters with fresh legs and high-intensity defense.
- The Net Rating: The Thunder currently boast a 20.4 net rating in the second round, the second-highest among all remaining teams.
The “Unbroken” Streak
While SGA’s scoring in Game 1 was lower than his season average, his historic record remains safe. In March, Gilgeous-Alexander officially eclipsed Wilt Chamberlain’s 60-year-old record for consecutive 20-point games. He ended the regular season with a mind-boggling 140-game streak.
Because the record only accounts for regular-season action, Game 1’s 18-point outing is essentially a statistical “freebie.” He remains the postseason’s second-highest scorer, averaging 30.6 points per game, trailing only Detroit’s Cade Cunningham (31.3 PPG).
Dominance by the Numbers
The Thunder’s path through the quarterfinals against the Phoenix Suns was equally dominant. They entered the second round ranking:
- 1st in Points Per Game (122.8)
- 1st in Offensive Rating (127.2)
- 2nd in Point Differential (+17.3)
Perhaps most remarkably, core stars like Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams were often able to sit out entire fourth quarters during the first round because the games were already well in hand.
Looking Ahead to Game 2
If history is any indication, a quiet night for SGA usually precedes a storm. The last time the Thunder star was held under 20 points, he responded with a 40-point explosion in his very next game.
With the Lakers struggling to find offensive rhythm and the Thunder’s “green light” shooters like Isaiah Joe finding their mark, the reigning champs look poised to extend their undefeated streak to 6-0 this Thursday night.
Stat of the Night: The Thunder are playing with such efficiency that they gave up seven turnovers in Game 1 and still won by 18 points.
