Lakers fall to Thunder in Game 2, trailing 0-2 in playoff series

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Lakers, one again, were so close. But they kept getting in their own way in their 125-107 Game 2 loss to the Thunder at Paycom Center.The Lakers had too many self-inflicted wounds, like their 21 turnovers for 26 OKC points.Or the 17 second-chance points they allowed the Thunder to score, wasting the strong moments of halfcourt defense they had.Because even with Austin Reaves bouncing back from a purtid Game 1 performance with a playoff career-high 31 points to go with 6 assists, Game 2 was defined by the Lakers’ mistakes. And the Thunder capitalized off them. LeBron James had 23 points and 6 assists.Rui Hachimura (16 points) and Luke Kennard (10 points) combined for 26 points, but the Lakers wasted a strong shooting night (50% from the field, 37.9% on 3s).Chet Holmgren led the Thunder with 22 points, 9 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 assists and 2 blocked shots.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 22 points.Ajay Mitchell recorded 20 points and 6 assists, while Jared McCain had 18 points off the bench.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.  California's top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.

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Never miss a story When Gilgeous-Alexander picked up his fourth personal and a Flagrant Foul penalty one foul at the 10:34 mark of the third quarter.Reaves made a pair of flagrant free throws, and a technical free throw after Alex Caruso was assessed a technical from the bench, to put the Lakers up 66-61 as Gilgeous-Alexander subbed out and went to the bench for the remainder of the quarter.Usually, this would be a positive moment for an opponent when the reigning MV...