{"id":194604,"date":"2026-05-09T13:46:29","date_gmt":"2026-05-09T17:46:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=194604"},"modified":"2026-05-09T13:46:29","modified_gmt":"2026-05-09T17:46:29","slug":"okc-vs-lal-great-depth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/05\/09\/okc-vs-lal-great-depth\/","title":{"rendered":"OKC vs LAL Shows Value Of Great Depth For Oklahoma City Thunder"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Oklahoma City Thunder have grasped a 2-0 series lead after yet another 18-point win in Game Two against the Los Angeles Lakers. With the way the series is going, it seems that OKC vs LAL is showing why depth is the biggest key to success<\/a> that the Thunder are riding into the sunset with. The Lakers have locked down Shai Gilgeous-Alexander<\/a> for two games: first with turnovers, then foul trouble in the previous game. Yet, unsurprisingly, they’re still winning big.<\/p>\n

Say what you will about the officiating, it’s not really the biggest factor here. It’s more of what Oklahoma City has built over the years that is starting to pay off in the long run. Criticism is just another proof that they’re succeeding, just like how many great NBA teams and players have been subject to criticism from fans and analysts alike. Now more than ever, the OKC bench deserves its flowers and a bigger spotlight.<\/p>\n

OKC vs LAL Shows Value Of Depth For Oklahoma City Thunder<\/span><\/h2>\n

By now, we have seen the defending champions take care of business for two games in a row. That’s also a winning streak of six games to begin the playoffs. However, with Jalen Williams<\/a> still recovering from his hamstring injury and SGA apparently not playing his best basketball so far, depth has been the key to success for OKC. Now they’re going to have to carry that same pace heading into the road in Game Three.<\/p>\n

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OKC Bench Has Been Special In The Playoffs<\/h3>\n

Bench power is one of the key strengths that OKC has relied on since its rise to prominence in the SGA era. Names such as Cason Wallace<\/a>, Jared McCain<\/a>, Isaiah Joe<\/a>, Jaylin Williams<\/a>, and Alex Caruso<\/a> are names not really known by many. But somehow, fans watching the Thunder playoffs this year are getting to know them better. Then there’s still the likes of Aaron Wiggins<\/a>, Kenrich Williams<\/a>, and even Nikola Topic<\/a> just waiting for their numbers to get called.<\/p>\n

Six of the Thunder’s top 10 points total<\/a> against the Lakers in this series have come from players off the bench.\u00a0 There’s even a technicality in that, considering that Ajay Mitchell<\/a> was upped to a starting role in J-Dub’s absence<\/a>. Had it not been for the Oklahoma City star’s injury, Mitchell would also be coming off the bench.<\/p>\n

Now, McCain is getting all the love with his explosive performances in the first two games. However, it’s worth noting that he’s logged only 22 minutes in the first round. McCain’s value<\/a> suddenly rose in the OKC vs LAL series, but there’s more to expect from the rest. Defense has also been generated by this bench, and those 20 turnovers didn’t come from nothing.<\/p>\n

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The OKC bias HAS to stop\u2026<\/p>\n

The refs made the Lakers turn the basketball over TWENTY TIMES tonight \ud83e\udd2f pic.twitter.com\/m7N6XlxZ2b<\/a><\/p>\n

— NBA Tour Dates (@NBATourDates) May 8, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n