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OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - MAY 05: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the second quarter of a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Paycom Center on May 05, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
LeBron James and the LA Lakers fell to a 0-2 hole in the Western Conference semifinals after dropping Game 2 against the OKC Thunder on Thursday night, 125-107.
James, the oldest active NBA player at 41 years old, put up 23 points on 9-of-18 shooting from the field, along with six assists and three steals in the Game 2 loss.
However, his performance was unsatisfactory for his friend and NBA analyst Shannon Sharpe, who criticized James for playing with subpar aggression, resulting in the Lakers’ loss.
“He wasn’t aggressive at all. He was very content to just stand in the corner and then try to get that ball at the nail, and then try to do something. That’s not going to cut it,” Sharpe said in his Night Cap podcast shortly after Game 2.
Shannon Sharpe says he was disappointed in LeBron James play in game 2:
“He wasn’t aggressive at all. He was very content to just stand in the corner and then try to get that ball at the nail and then try to do something. That’s not going to cut it. Guy stole the ball from that
Sharpe described James’ performance as “unacceptable” considering that his defenders, such as Lu Dort, Alex Caruso, and Cason Wallace, were all shorter than him.
“He let Lu Dort come over the top. That’s unacceptable. And the little flurry that he had in the 4th quarter, that’s not enough. We need that assertiveness in the third quarter when Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander] goes out,” Sharpe said as Gilgeous-Alexander did not play much in the third period after picking up his fourth foul early.
Sharpe has been known to be one of James’ biggest supporters in the sports media landscape. Sharpe, a former NFL player, had also been seen supporting James in his games in LA.
The Lakers had a slim one-point lead at halftime before the Thunder outscored them 36-22 in the third period, led by Gilgeous-Alexander’s supporting cast, such as Chet Holmgren, Ajay Mitchell, and Jared McCain.
Holmgren finished with 22 points, Mitchell had 20, and McCain notched 18 points off the bench to carry the offensive cudgels for the Thunder as Gilgeous-Alexander was constantly double-teamed before putting up 22 markers.
Aside from James, Austin Reaves put the team on his shoulders in Game 2, tallying 31 points and six assists. It was a far cry from his Game 1 performance, where he shot 3-of-16 from the field to contribute only eight points.
GettyJJ Redick airs frustrations about the lack of whistles on LeBron James.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick was fuming after Game 2 following what he deemed as poor officiating in the game. One of his main points was LeBron James’ lack of whistles, declaring him one of the most disrespected stars he has been in terms of getting calls.
“LeBron [James] has the worst whistle of any star player I’ve seen,” Redick told the media. “I’ve been with him two years now. I mean, the smaller guys, they can be theatric and they typically drew more fouls. For bigger players that are built like LeBron, it’s hard for them. They get clobbered. [Lebron] got clobbered again tonight a bunch.”
“That’s not a new thing. That’s not specific to this [officiating] crew. In this series, he gets fouled a lot. He gets hit in the head more than any player I’ve seen on drives, and rarely gets called.”
James had four free throws in the game. He also joined the endgame huddle with the officials and the Lakers players, all of whom expressed their dismay about the game.
GettyLeBron James hopes to avoid a sweep.
Games 3 and 4 will be pivotal for LeBron James and the Lakers as they look to extend their season.
For James, a win against the Thunder would avoid him the fourth playoff sweep of his career.
However, the Thunder has yet to lose a game this season, sweeping the Phoenix Suns in Round 1.
Game 3 will be on Saturday, May 9, in Los Angeles.
Rob Andrew Lo Rob Andrew Lo is a writer at Heavy Sports and is covering the NBA. He has covered local, collegiate, professional and international sports in various sites. He was the sports editor of The Varsitarian, the official student publication of University of Santo Tomas, and a sports, entertainment, and lifestyle writer for Rappler. A Journalism graduate from the University of Santo Tomas, he has built his voice across both collegiate and international platforms, previously contributing NBA coverage to Fansided and Sportskeeda. More about Rob Andrew Lo
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