The matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder served as the Los Angeles Lakers’ biggest test of the season and the measuring stick to see how they stack up with the league’s best. After their performance, however, it’s safe to say they failed this test miserably.
The defending champions wiped the floor with the visitors, winning in dominating fashion, 139-96 Thursday at Paycom Center. The 43-point defeat is the second largest of forward Lebron James’ 23-season career.
From the opening tip, Los Angeles was out-hustled, outmatched, and outshot by Oklahoma City. The Thunder started this contest on a 9-2 run, fueled by back-to-back turnovers by guard Austin Reaves which led to easy transition scores. OKC came into this contest ranked first in points off turnovers (22.0 per game) and second in turnovers forced (16.8 per game).
These trends could be seen very early on, as LA turned the ball over six times within the first five minutes. This, along with consistent stops and shot making, allowed OKC to seize control. The home side led 44-21 at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter went just like the first, as the Thunder continued to hound the Lakers on defense and convert clean looks on offense. Guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was unstoppable, as the reigning MVP and Finals MVP got to the rim at will and exposed mismatches by attacking downhill. He finished with 28 points, seven assists, and seven rebounds in just 29 minutes played.
LA’s MVP candidate on the other hand, guard Luka Doncic, struggled all night. He shot a poor 3-for-10 from the field, finishing the game with just 12 points. Guard Austin Reaves led the team in scoring by night’s end with just 15 points, exemplifying the Lakers’ measly effort.
Gilgeous-Alexander was not the only Thunder player in a rhythm. OKC had four players in double figures in the first half. One of them, forward Jalen Williams, finished with a well-balanced 10 point, nine rebound and eight assist line. His team led by a stunning 82-51 scoreline, with Oklahoma City shooting a scorching 60.4 percent from the field and 47.4 percent from three.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles had no answers. They finished the half with 11 turnovers, 18 fewer shot attempts, 11 fewer rebounds, and were outscored 28-10 in bench points. In other words, they were manhandled.
OKC continued its dominance throughout the second half, leading 112-67 at the end of the third quarter largely thanks to a 9-0 solo run by guard Isaiah Joe. He finished with 20 points, including six made threes. With the game decided just midway through the third, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault pulled his starters and allowed his bench to finish the contest.
Aside from the blowout, significant injuries to both teams headline this matchup. For the Lakers, Doncic left the game at the 7:39 mark of the third quarter with a left hamstring injury and did not return. He will have an MRI tomorrow to determine the severity of the injury. Shortly after, the Thunder lost guard Lu Dort to a right knee and back injury. Dort did not return either.
Both teams have five games left and will look to secure their highest possible seedings in the Western Conference. Los Angeles, in pursuit of the third seed, will likely have to earn it without Doncic. Oklahoma City, meanwhile, can guarantee themselves the first seed for a second-straight season by winning four of their remaining contests.