(Photo : Joshua Gateley/Getty Images) OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – Lebron James (#23) of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after a made basket in the course of the second half towards the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on November 30, 2023 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
The Oklahoma City Thunder thumped the Los Angeles Lakers, 133-110, on Thursday night time, November 30, on the Paycom Center, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander exploding for 33 factors.
However, it was greater than SGA at work. Most gamers fielded contributed, together with Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgreen, and Josh Giddey. Seven gamers completed with 10 factors or extra for Thunder coach Mark Daigneault by way of ESPN.
“I just thought we really exerted ourselves on the game and our defense – how we scrambled, our running. We were just fast tonight,” he mentioned.
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The Lakers performed with a shorthanded lineup with a number of gamers on the injured record. LeBron James was a game-time determination. Regardless, he nonetheless completed with a double-double of 21 factors and 12 rebounds to go together with six assists in 35 minutes of motion.
Anthony Davis led the Lakers’ dropping trigger with 31 factors and 14 rebounds, per NBA.com.
“Our guys fought to the best of their ability. You know, obviously, there’s some things we need to clean up and we could have done better. We tried our best under the circumstances,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham mentioned.
Thunder had been merely dominant
In their matchup, it was clear that the Thunder dominated all departments. They shot higher from the sphere (53.2%), managed the boards (48-41), and performed higher as a group, as may be seen within the assists division (29-24).
“I have no idea where we are,” James mentioned. “We don’t have a group yet. I know what some of us individually are,” he added.
Defense did it for OKC
The degree of confidence within the Thunder was evident. An enormous half that contributed to that was their protection, as identified by Holmgreen.
“It starts on the defensive end, really playing as a unit, playing together and for each other, and then it kind of spirals into our offense,” the rookie large man mentioned.
Lakers tried however did not compete
There is not any query that the Lakers appeared good within the early goings towards the Thunder. But with solely D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves serving to out.
Russell completed with 16 factors and 10 assists, whereas Reaves chipped in 14 factors coming off the bench.
Things will not get any simpler for the Lakers, who’re headed dwelling to arrange for his or her subsequent opponent – the Houston Rockets, on Saturday, December 2. It would be the third assembly between the 2 groups, every proudly owning a win on their turf, per SI.com.
Will Zach LaVine commerce achieve floor for struggling LA?
However, the Lakers’ struggles are secondary to the excitement within the NBA commerce rumor mill. The Zach LaVine commerce speak stays within the air, and Shams Charania of The Athletic hinted at what might persuade the Chicago Bulls to conform to a commerce.
“The Bulls, I’m sure, would covet Austin Reaves in any potential Zach LaVine trade,” Charania mentioned.
Reaves has typically been talked about in commerce talks, so will probably be fascinating if the Lakers change their stance this time. Adding a 3rd celebrity would make sense, nevertheless it locations LA again on their most important drawback when altering it up – chemistry.
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