Thunder Lead 2-0 After Lakers Game 2 Officiating Row

Sport

By lines

May 8, 2026

The OKC Thunder won Game 2 against the LA Lakers 125-107 Thursday, extending their Western Conference Semifinals lead to 2-0. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 22 points to lead Oklahoma City. Chet Holmgren added 22 points and nine rebounds in the win.

Lakers Erupt at Officials After Another Lopsided Loss

Head coach JJ Redick blasted the officiating crew in a sharp postgame press conference Thursday night. Redick told reporters that LeBron James holds the “worst whistle of any star player I’ve ever seen.” The comment signals deep frustration from the Lakers bench about foul distribution in this series.

Guard Austin Reaves also clashed with referee John Goble after the final buzzer. Reaves said Goble “turned around and yelled in my face,” calling the exchange disrespectful. The full Lakers roster gathered at midcourt after the game to confront the officiating crew before leaving the floor.

LeBron James scored 23 points in 38 minutes but the Lakers fell further behind in the fourth quarter. Austin Reaves posted 31 points and six assists, the top individual output for Los Angeles in Game 2. The Thunder have outscored the LA Lakers by 36 combined points across the first two games.

The series now shifts to Los Angeles for Game 3. Oklahoma City enters Game 3 with a 2-0 series lead and a 36-point combined scoring margin.