Thunder vs – Oklahoma City opened Game 1 with momentum, and a Jared McCain pull-up three sparked major reactions from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams.
A pull-up three from Jared McCain turned a key moment into a statement, and the Oklahoma City Thunder’s reaction set the tone during Game 1 of their second-round matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers.
With the series underway at Paycom Center. Misryoum reports that the Thunder carried confidence from their previous round against the Phoenix Suns.. In the second quarter. McCain struck from the perimeter off the bounce. finding space for a pull-up three over Deandre Ayton.. The make helped Oklahoma City stretch its lead to 36-26. and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams responded immediately. showing energy from the bench as the momentum swung further in their favor.
That kind of shot matters because it changes how defenses treat the middle of the floor, especially when stars and role players are both moving with purpose.
Heading into halftime, the Thunder were in control, leading the Lakers 61-53.. Gilgeous-Alexander paced the offense with 12 points and three assists. while Chet Holmgren provided a major presence inside with 18 points. seven rebounds. and two blocks.. The combination of scoring and impact around the rim gave Oklahoma City a clear path to keep the pressure on Los Angeles.
Meanwhile, the Thunder also had to adjust to personnel concerns. Misryoum notes that Jalen Williams was sidelined with a hamstring injury and is considered week-to-week, leaving Oklahoma City to manage minutes and responsibilities as the game moved forward.
In this context, even when a team is leading, availability can quickly reshape rotations and matchups as playoff intensity rises.
The highlight from McCain’s pull-up is a reminder of how small, fast sequences can lift a team’s rhythm. When a secondary scorer knocks down a difficult look, it forces immediate responses from the opponent, and it can also energize the leaders on the sideline and on the floor.
Misryoum will continue to track how the Thunder handle Williams’ status and whether their blend of star power and interior dominance carries into the next stretch of Game 1.