The Oklahoma City Thunder have completed back-to-back sweeps, and for the first time in team history, the Thunder have started 8-0 in the NBA Playoffs. Here are the four things to know.
OKC Secures Second-Round Sweep Against Lakers
1) Ajay Mitchell was the Best Player in the Series
Without Jalen Williams playing a single second in the series and with the Los Angeles Lakers going all out to limit Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander‘s production, the Thunder needed someone to step up as the source of offense. Ajay Mitchell, who has been a constant answer for OKC’s offense in this postseason, not only answered the bell, but the national audience is in the midst of the birth of a rising star.
As a result of the Lakers’ aggressive coverage on SGA, Mitchell has taken full advantage of it at every turn. Since slotting into the role of second option in the starting lineup, replacing Williams, who’s recovering from a hamstring strain, Mitchell averaged 22.5 points on 56.3% shooting from the floor and a 63.3% true-shooting percentage, six assists while committing just four turnovers the entire series, and 1.8 steals per game.
SGA himself acknowledged that Mitchell was the best player in this series, as he displayed the ability to get to his spots at will and put pressure on the defense, making the players less effective on the other end. He had an incredible two-way series.
2) Execution against Mixed Defensive Coverages
Throughout the series, JJ Redick’s primary focus has been to limit Gilgeous-Alexander’s effectiveness as a scorer and playmaker. At the same time, these aggressive coverages prevented him from putting up big numbers. It resulted in the Thunder getting significant contributions from a multitude of players: Mitchell, Chet Holmgren, Jared McCain, Alex Caruso, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Isaiah Joe.
Oklahoma City’s execution against this variety of coverages was crisp and sharp — resulting in the Thunder averaging 119.8 points and a 125.4 offensive rating in the series.
Mark Daigneault mentioned the lessons that the Lakers taught the Thunder and how it made them a better team: “A lot of mixing defenses. That’s about as aggressively as we’ve been double-teamed in a while. Certainly in a playoff series.” Compared it to the amount of zone the Denver Nuggets played in the second round of last year’s playoffs.
Daigneault also had great insight and perspective on Gilgeous-Alexander’s impact and on how he handled the aggressive scheme used against him in this series.
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3) Chet Holmgren’s Continued Playoff Breakthrough
Mitchell will receive the majority of the headlines from this series, but Holmgren also stepped up to be a source of offense in Williams’ absence.
Holmgren continued his breakout postseason — averaging 20 points on 60.8% shooting from the floor, 38.5% from three, and 86.7% from the free-throw line, 9.8 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game.
Holmgren was excellent as a play-finisher (36-for-37 at the rim) this postseason and as a floor spacer off the ball, while continuing to be an absolute monster defensively. Any time SGA received a double team, he responded by providing adequate spacing and being in the right spots at the right time.
4) Oklahoma City Dominated the Turnover Battle
The Thunder dominated the Lakers in the turnover category this series.
Oklahoma City forced 72 Los Angeles turnovers and scored 98 points off of them in their four wins. Compared to the Lakers forcing 46 Thunder turnovers and scoring 52 points off of them. This was critical in the Thunder staying in control throughout the series.
The Thunder’s defense thrives on forcing turnovers, and coming into this series, the Lakers averaged the most turnovers (17.7 per game) in the first round. Oklahoma City’s ability to consistently generate turnovers is a major factor in why they are still unbeaten through the first two rounds.
Main Image: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
