Commentary: Turn out the lights on the Lakers; after second loss to Oklahoma City, it's over

"The Oklahoma City Thunder overcame another valiant Lakers charge Thursday night to win their second game in two tries in the Western Conference semifinals at Paycom Center. The Lakers played hard, played tough, played the Thunder from baseline to baseline, played strong enough to fly home with pride. And still lost by 18. The 125-107 Thunder victory gives the defending champions a two-games-to-none lead in a series that is scheduled for as many as seven games."

"It's over right here, right now, the Lakers having absorbed consecutive 18-point smackdowns by a team whose reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has barely shown up. The Lakers may steal a game back at Arena this weekend, but that would be the only one, it being unthinkable that this mismatch will last more than five games. "You're starting to see some trends here," said Laker coach JJ Redick."

"The main trend is that the Thunder just have better players, and more of them, witness a game-changing third quarter Thursday in which they outscored the Lakers 36-22 despite the foul-plagued Gilgeous-Alexander playing less than two minutes. Ten different Thunder players scored or rebounded in that quarter. The Lakers had as many turnovers as baskets - seven! - while surrendering 11 points off those mistakes and blowing a one-point halftime lead forever."

"Have you even heard of Ajay Mitchell? You have now. He scored 20. How many casual NBA fans knew that Jared McCain played for Oklahoma City? They know now. He scored 18 while missing pnly one of five three-point attempts. "We just got blitzed," said Redick, and this shorthanded tea"

The Lakers showed resilience and effort but lost 125-107 to the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center. The Thunder overcame another strong Lakers push to win their second game in two tries and take a two-games-to-none lead in a series scheduled for up to seven games. The Lakers played hard and tough, but the game ended with an 18-point loss. A major turning point came in the third quarter when the Thunder outscored the Lakers 36-22 despite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander playing less than two minutes due to fouls. Ten Thunder players contributed in that quarter, while the Lakers had seven turnovers, matched by seven baskets, and surrendered 11 points off mistakes, losing a one-point halftime lead.

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