OKLAHOMA CITY — By most standards, the Lakers had an objectively strong defensive game in their Game 1 loss to the Thunder on Tuesday night at Paycom Center to kick off the best-of-seven second-round playoff series.

The Lakers held the Thunder to their worst offensive offensive rating (116.1) and lowest scoring total (108) so far in the playoffs.

The Lakers’ defense slowed NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but it still wasn’t enough to defeat the Thunder in Game 1. Getty Images

After a higher-scoring first half, the Lakers held the Thunder to 47 second-half points and forced the typically ball-secure Thunder to commit 16 turnovers.

They accomplished their goal of limiting the effectiveness of reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who had 18 points on 8-of-15 shooting and six assists for his lowest-scoring game since Game 3 of the 2025 Western Conference finals.

Gilgeous-Alexander’s seven turnovers were his most since Game 6 of the 2025 NBA Finals, with the Lakers’ aggressive defensive coverages of traps…