In a gripping NBA Cup matchup on Friday night, the Oklahoma City Thunder triumphed over the Los Angeles Lakers with a score of 101-93. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge for the Thunder, pouring in 36 points, with a crucial 15 points coming in the final quarter. This performance marks the fifth time in six games that Gilgeous-Alexander has scored over 30 points, showcasing his offensive prowess. Jalen Williams contributed significantly as well, adding 19 points to help secure Oklahoma City’s fourth consecutive victory.
On the Lakers’ side, Dalton Knecht was a standout, scoring 20 points, including five successful three-pointers. However, Los Angeles has struggled recently, losing four of their last five games. D’Angelo Russell added 17 points off the bench, but the team faced difficulty in maintaining possession, committing 17 turnovers, four of which occurred in the critical fourth quarter.
With this defeat, the Lakers have lost their opportunity to advance to the quarterfinals after being last year’s inaugural NBA Cup champions. Their record now stands at 2-2 in West Group B, while the Thunder join the likes of Phoenix and San Antonio at 2-1.
A significant moment in the game occurred when the Lakers were trailing by just one point. However, with only 1:35 remaining, Gilgeous-Alexander hit a timely three-pointer, giving the Thunder a 95-91 lead. The Lakers attempted to mount a comeback, but a crucial turnover in the closing seconds sealed their fate, giving the Thunder an easy dunk and a commanding lead at 99-93.
Looking ahead, the Thunder will face the Houston Rockets on Sunday, while the Lakers will go up against the Utah Jazz.
This game highlights the Thunder’s growing momentum and teamwork, with players like Isaiah Hartenstein notching a double-double with 11 points and a season-high 18 rebounds. The continued growth and performance of Oklahoma City promise an exciting season ahead, potentially leading to further success in both the NBA Cup and regular season.