Shai Gilgeous-Alexander showcased his scoring prowess by netting 36 points, including a crucial 15-point outburst in the fourth quarter, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 101-93 win over the Los Angeles Lakers during an NBA Cup game on Friday night.
This victory marks the Thunder’s fourth consecutive win and highlights Gilgeous-Alexander’s dominance, as this is the fifth time in the last six games he has scored over 30 points. Jalen Williams added 19 points, contributing significantly to the team’s success.
For the Lakers, Dalton Knecht stood out with 20 points, hitting five shots from beyond the arc, while D’Angelo Russell added 17 points from the bench. However, with this defeat, the Lakers’ chances to advance to the quarterfinals have been dashed, particularly concerning since they won the NBA Cup last year.
In Group B of the Western Conference, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, and San Antonio all boast a 2-1 record, while the Lakers fall to 2-2.
In a tense moment late in the game, the Lakers narrowed the gap to one point, but Gilgeous-Alexander responded with a timely three-pointer, extending the Thunder’s lead to 95-91.
Key highlights from the game include Isaiah Hartenstein’s 11 points and a season-high 18 rebounds for the Thunder, marking his fourth double-double of the season. For the Lakers, Anthony Davis contributed with 15 points and 12 rebounds, while LeBron James scored 12.
One pivotal moment came when the Lakers, trailing by just four with 22.4 seconds left, saw a crucial turnover by Austin Reaves, leading to a steal by Williams and a fast break dunk that sealed the game at 99-93.
A significant statistic from the game indicates that the Lakers committed four of their 17 turnovers in the fourth quarter, which likely impacted their ability to secure the win. Conversely, Oklahoma City demonstrated strong offensive rebounding, tying their season high with 15 offensive boards.
Looking ahead, the Thunder will take on Houston on Sunday, while the Lakers will face Utah the same day, presenting both teams with opportunities to bounce back from this contest.
In summary, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s consistent performance and the team’s effective play, the Oklahoma City Thunder are finding their stride, hoping to build on their momentum in upcoming games.