In an exciting NBA Cup matchup on Friday night, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a stellar performance, putting up 36 points, including a crucial 15 in the fourth quarter, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 101-93 win against the Los Angeles Lakers. This victory marks the Thunder’s fourth consecutive win and continues Gilgeous-Alexander’s impressive scoring streak, as he has reached at least 30 points in five of the last six games. Jalen Williams played a significant role as well, contributing 19 points to the team’s success.
On the Lakers’ side, Dalton Knecht led with 20 points, supported by D’Angelo Russell’s 17 points off the bench. However, the loss puts a damper on the Lakers’ campaign, eliminating them from contention for the quarterfinals after they were the champions of the inaugural NBA Cup last year. Now sitting at 2-2 in West Group B, the Lakers must regroup quickly as they face challenges ahead.
In a nail-biting finale, the Lakers cut the deficit to one point but were thwarted by a pivotal 3-pointer from Gilgeous-Alexander with just over a minute remaining, extending the Thunder’s lead. A crucial moment for the Lakers came when a turnover by Austin Reaves allowed Williams to secure a dunk, sealing the game for Oklahoma City.
Notably, Isaiah Hartenstein also made an impact for the Thunder, notching 11 points and a season-high 18 rebounds, while Anthony Davis and LeBron James managed 15 and 12 points respectively for Los Angeles, highlighting the competitive nature of the matchup. The Lakers struggled with turnovers, committing four of their 17 in the fourth quarter, which proved detrimental to their efforts.
Looking ahead, the Thunder will face the Houston Rockets, while the Lakers will go up against the Utah Jazz, both on Sunday, providing an opportunity for the teams to adjust and improve from their recent performances.
This game serves as a reminder of the volatility of the NBA season, where standout players like Gilgeous-Alexander can make significant impacts, and teams must navigate their ups and downs to compete effectively.