By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Oklahoma City Thunder regained their momentum in the third quarter en route to a 125–107 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, establishing a 2–0 lead in the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, on Thursday.
Despite surrendering the lead late in the first half, they rallied to a double-digit advantage behind a standout performance from Belgian starter Ajay Mitchell, who produced 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting, alongside six assists and three rebounds. Taking over down the stretch to keep a safe distance, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren reached 22 points apiece, German starting center Isaiah Hartenstein provided a versatile boost with ten points, nine rebounds, two blocks, two steals, and one assist. Serbia’s Nikola Topic also squeezed in two points in the final seconds.
Game 2 served as a historic milestone for LeBron James, who became the first player in league history to reach 300 postseason appearances, finishing the night with 23 points. Austin Reaves tallied a game-high 31 points, though coach JJ Redick opted to keep German reserve Maxi Kleber out of the rotation. The visitors continued to struggle with personnel as Slovenian superstar Luka Doncic remained out with a left hamstring strain and Jarred Vanderbilt missed the game due to a finger injury. The defending champions played without Thomas Sorber and Jalen Williams.
In the Eastern Conference, the top-seeded Detroit Pistons also moved to a 2–0 series lead by defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers, 107–97. After seeing a 14-point lead vanish, they took control in the final minutes at Little Caesars Arena. Cade Cunningham orchestrated the offense with 25 points and ten assists.
Germany’s Dennis Schroder recorded four points, five assists, and three rebounds for the Cavs, but his European teammates, the Netherlands’ Tristan Enaruna and France’s Olivier Sarr, remained inactive. Both teams dealt with minor roster gaps as Kevin Huerter and Sam Merrill sat out.
Both series now shift locations for Game 3 on Saturday, with the action moving to crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles and Rocket Arena in Cleveland.
NBA Playoffs 2026
Eastern Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
Detroit Pistons – Orlando Magic 4-3 (101-112, 98-83, 105-113, 88-94, 116-109, 93-79, 116-94)
Cleveland Cavaliers – Toronto Raptors 4-3 (126-113, 115-105, 104-126, 89-93, 125-120, 110-112, 114-102)
New York Knicks – Atlanta Hawks 4-2 (113-102, 106-107, 108-109, 114-98, 126-97, 140-89)
Boston Celtics – Philadelphia 76ers 3-4 (123-91, 97-111, 108-100, 128-96, 97-113, 93-106, 100-109)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
Detroit Pistons – Cleveland Cavaliers 2-0 (111-101, 107-97)
New York Knicks – Philadelphia 76ers 2-0 (137-98, 108-102)
Finals (best-of-seven)
Winners of Semifinals
Western Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – Phoenix Suns 4-0 (119-84, 120-107, 121-109, 131-122)
Los Angeles Lakers – Houston Rockets 4-2 (107-98, 101-94, 112-108, 96-115, 93-99, 98-78)
Denver Nuggets – Minnesota Timberwolves 2-4 (126-115, 114-119, 96-113, 96-112, 125-113, 98-110)
San Antonio Spurs – Portland Trail Blazers 4-1 (111-98, 103-106, 120-108, 114-93, 114-95)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – Los Angeles Lakers 2-0 (108-90, 125-107)
San Antonio Spurs – Minnesota Timberwolves 1-1 (102-104, 133-95)
Finals (best-of-seven)
Winners of Semifinals
NBA Finals 2026 (best-of-seven)
Eastern Conference and Western Conference champions