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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)

The Los Angeles Lakers were hit in waves, with swarms of defense, with punches to the gut.

Repeatedly.

The Oklahoma City Thunder watched, waited, smiled and punched back.

Repeatedly. 

Los Angeles closed the Oklahoma City deficit to just five points in clutch time. Not a single player on the home team busted a sweat. 

The Thunder kept recharging, kept storming back over the hapless Lakers. 

Credit them for their intensity and fight, but the Thunder know they are exactly where they want to be, where they need to be. 

Two games later, the Thunder are sniffing the conference finals again. The Lakers are sniffing a second round or earlier exit … again. 

Los Angeles Lakers Dealt Massive Blow as History Screams Fate

The Thunder are doing Thunder things. They are up 2-o on the Lakers and boast a +34 point-differential heading into Game 3. 

Is anyone surprised? 

GettyMarcus Smart #36 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder look on during the fourth quarter in Game Two of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Paycom Center on May 07, 2026 in Oklahoma City,

The Lakers, perhaps, have one last gasp as the series now shifts to Los Angeles for Game 3. Behind the cheering home crowd, this will be about the best chance for the Lakers to temporarily make it a series. 

But the Thunder are just as comfortable away from Loud City as they are in it.

They had the best home and road records in the NBA in the regular season. They are 6-0 this postseason, including a pair of road wins in Phoenix while not breaking a sweat. 

Meanwhile, the Lakers have lost once already at home this postseason.

But home or road may not matter at this point.

Writes Khobi Price of the California Post: “The Lakers are now trailing 2-0 in the best-of-seven second round series. Under the 2-2-1-1-1 home/away pattern, the team with homecourt advantage has a 221-19 all-time record in playoff series after taking a 2-0 lead since the NBA moved to a 16-team playoff in 1984.”

Queue that one line: So you’re saying there’s a chance?

Technically, yes.

Realistically, probably not.

A Brutal Trend for L.A. Continues

After the Thunder’s Game 2 win, they have now won seven games in a row against the Lakers dating back to last season. 

The Thunder own a +169 point-differential over the Lakers in those seven meetings. 

This matchup has simply been grossly one-sided for quite some time, and the Lakers don’t seem to have any answers.

GettyCason Wallace #22 and Ajay Mitchell #25 of the Oklahoma City Thunder

They’re hell bent on limiting soon-to-be two-time NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but the Thunder are seemingly sitting back and laughing at the attempt. Because the champs can throw much more at you than just their MVP.

Oklahoma City once again showed off a total team effort last night. 

The ho-hum Gilgeous-Alexander, again nonchalant, again unpressed or unbothered, still walked his way to tying a team-high 22 points. He only threw the ball at the basket 13 times. 

Meh, too easy.

Captain obvious: The Lakers have a ton of adjusting to do to merely give themselves a chance to compete in Game 3. 

The Thunder, meanwhile, just have to do what they did in the first two games. 

Play focused but look like they’re not even trying.