Oklahoma City Thunder narrowly defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 101-93 in an NBA Cup game held in Los Angeles on Friday night. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander played a critical role in the victory, scoring an impressive 36 points, with 15 of those coming in the fourth quarter alone. This performance marks the fifth time in six games that Gilgeous-Alexander has surpassed the 30-point mark. Jalen Williams added to the Thunder’s strong offensive effort with 19 points, contributing to their fourth consecutive win.
On the side of the Lakers, Dalton Knecht was a standout, scoring 20 points, including five three-pointers. D’Angelo Russell provided valuable support off the bench with 17 points. Despite the effort, Los Angeles has struggled recently, losing four of their last five games. This latest defeat means they are unable to move forward to the quarterfinals after having won the inaugural NBA Cup tournament last season.
Both teams were competitive, with the Lakers narrowing the score to just one point in the late stages of the game. However, a pivotal three-pointer by Gilgeous-Alexander with 1:35 remaining gave the Thunder a crucial 95-91 lead.
In terms of individual statistics, Isaiah Hartenstein made his mark with 11 points and a season-high 18 rebounds, highlighting his contribution to the Thunder’s success. Anthony Davis managed to collect 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Lakers, while LeBron James contributed 12 points.
A major turning point in the game occurred late, when the Lakers, down by four and hoping to mount a comeback with just 22.4 seconds left, saw a crucial steal by Williams following a poor pass by Austin Reaves. This pivotal moment allowed Oklahoma City to secure a comfortable 99-93 lead.
The Lakers experienced difficulties during the match, with 17 turnovers overall, four of which occurred in the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, Oklahoma City matched a season high with 15 offensive rebounds.
Looking ahead, the Thunder will face the Houston Rockets on Sunday, while the Lakers will travel to Utah for their upcoming game.
This matchup highlights the rising talent within the Thunder and the challenges faced by the Lakers, presenting an opportunity for both teams to learn and grow as they continue their campaigns. The Thunder’s recent performances suggest a promising trajectory that could lead to further successes as the season progresses.