The Los Angeles Lakers entered their second-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder with a clear defensive philosophy: stop Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at all costs. From the opening tip in Game 1, the message was unmistakable—double-team the reigning MVP on every isolation and force someone else to step up.
It was a bold strategy, one that acknowledged Gilgeous-Alexander’s status as arguably the NBA’s best player. The Thunder superstar has been virtually unstoppable all season, and the Lakers wanted no part of him going 1-on-1 in crunch time.
But there’s a problem with that plan: the rest of the Thunder are more than capable of making you pay.
In the first two games in Oklahoma City, the Lakers’ aggressive double-teams opened the door for contributions from unexpected sources. Then in Game 3 at Crypto.com Arena, even as L.A. eased up on their defensive pressure, the result was the same—a dominant 23-point Thunder victory fueled by a supporting cast that keeps getting better.
Chet Holmgren has been a difference-maker throughout the series, but the real story in Game 3 was the emergence of second-year guard Ajay Mitchell. He exploded for playoff career highs of 24 points and 10 assists, looking every bit like a future star. Isaiah Joe provided the scoring punch off the bench, while Cason Wallace continued his stellar two-way play. The Thunder’s depth is becoming their greatest weapon.
And here’s the thing: they’re doing it without 2025 All-NBA honoree Jalen Williams, who remains sidelined. If the “others” are this dangerous now, imagine what happens when their full arsenal is available.
Which brings us to the question the Lakers need to ask themselves: isn’t it time to let Shai Gilgeous-Alexander try to beat them?
The reigning MVP is perfectly capable of carrying a team on his own. He’s the engine that makes this Thunder machine run. But through three games, the Lakers have learned a painful lesson—focusing so heavily on stopping one superstar has unleashed a hydra of capable scorers around him.
“You’ve seen them over the years: They have a lot of bodies, and they got a lot of guys that can do multiple things on the floor,” LeBron James acknowledged after Game 3. And he’s right. This Thunder team is built differently.
The Lakers came into this series willing to live with anyone but Gilgeous-Alexander beating them. Now, it might be time to live with the devil they know. Let the MVP try to win it single-handedly—because the alternative has proven to be even worse.