The Los Angeles Lakers entered the 2026 NBA Playoffs with momentum after defeating the Houston Rockets in the first round. The Lakers jumped out to a 3-0 series lead thanks to strong performances from LeBron James and Austin Reaves. After the Rockets fought back with two straight wins, the Lakers responded in Game 6 with strong defense and clutch shooting to close out the series. Head coach JJ Redick praised his team’s focus after the win, saying the Lakers “stayed together” during difficult moments.

Now in the second round, the Lakers are struggling against the Oklahoma City Thunder, who have looked faster, younger, and deeper through the first two games. Oklahoma City won Game 2 by a score of 125-107 and now leads the series 2-0. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren have caused major problems for the Lakers defense, while the Thunder bench has completely outplayed the Lakers reserves. In Game 2, Oklahoma City’s bench outscored Los Angeles 48-20, showing the difference in depth between the two teams.

Game 2 also included major drama involving the referees. Late in the game, several Lakers players argued with officials after multiple no-calls frustrated the team. Austin Reaves was especially upset after an interaction with referee John Goble. Reaves later said, “He turned around and just yelled in my face,” calling the moment “disrespectful.” After the final buzzer, Lakers players and coaches surrounded the officials at midcourt to continue the discussion. Coach JJ Redick strongly criticized the officiating and defended LeBron James, saying, “LeBron has the worst whistle of any star player I’ve ever seen.” Redick also accused the Thunder of being overly physical, saying they have “guys that foul on every possession.”

So, are the Lakers in trouble? Right now, the answer appears to be yes. The Lakers are heading back to Los Angeles down 0-2 against the top team in the Western Conference, and they must quickly improve if they want to stay alive. Even though LeBron James and Austin Reaves continue to fight hard, the Lakers need more production from their bench and better defense against Oklahoma City’s fast-paced offense. The controversy with the referees may also add more tension to the series moving forward. Still, with playoff experience and veteran leadership, the Lakers are hoping they can turn things around before it is too late.