OKLAHOMA CITY — The top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder delivered a commanding 108-90 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals on Tuesday night, exploiting the absence of injured star Luka Doncic and showcasing their depth and defensive intensity at Paycom Center.

Chet Holmgren led the Thunder with 24 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 18 points and seven assists. The Thunder's balanced attack and suffocating defense overwhelmed a Lakers squad that relied heavily on LeBron James, who finished with 27 points and six assists in a losing effort.

The win gave Oklahoma City a 1-0 series lead and reinforced their status as championship favorites after a dominant regular season. The Lakers, missing Doncic due to his ongoing Grade 2 hamstring strain, struggled to generate consistent offense and were outrebounded and outhustled for much of the........

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