Thunder Stifle Lakers in Game 1, Grab 1-0 Series Lead

Oklahoma City used suffocating defense to beat Los Angeles 108-90 in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals, with Chet Holmgren scoring 24 and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander adding 18 on 16 shots despite six turnovers under heavy Lakers doubles; Ajay Mitchell started for the injured Jalen Williams as OKC shot 49.4% overall, 43.3% from three and 91.7% from the line. LeBron James led the Lakers with 27, but LA struggled with 17 turnovers and poor 3-point shooting (Austin Reaves 3-for-16), and the Lakers couldn't sustain offense even as they fought back. The article notes Lakers coach JJ Redick's emphasis on slowing Thunder runs via timely timeouts, a strategy they'll lean on again in Game 2 in Oklahoma City.