Thunder’s Defensive Physicality Is Biggest Advantage Against Lakers
The Oklahoma City Thunder, the most dominant team in the league this season, has the upper hand against the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round thanks to their defensive physicality. They have the leeway to be more aggressive than most teams. The Thunder are allowed to hand-check and hold more because their defenders are giving themselves an obvious advantage.
The tape shows examples of the big advantage the Thunder have defensively. Extra Aggressiveness Leads to Forced Turnovers The Thunder defense thrives on initiating contact and forcing opponents to play through it. They did so to the Lakers throughout the regular season, winning three of the four matchups by double digits.
pic. twitter. com/7yE2fI46z6 — Mac (@macpham26) April 26, 2026 On this play , Cason Wallace goes for the steal on the pass to the post but can’t get a deflection.
Jaylin Williams comes over to help and prevent a straight-line drive. Wallace knocks the ball on the gather, but there was enough contact in Luka Doncic’s mind to warrant him to immediately turn to the official and then twirl his finger at the bench for a review because he knew he was hacked. Here’s another example of the Thunder’s aggressiveness: pic.
twitter. com/wALHIuQBxd — Mac (@macpham26) April 26, 2026 The Lakers use Doncic as the on-ball screener here. Wallace grabs Doncic’s jersey before the screen is set, creating an obvious advantage for the defender.