Lakers Three-Game Win Streak Ends as They Can’t Survive the Thunder’s Depth
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 119–110 last night at Crypto.com Arena. Despite missing their star players, the game provided insight into how these teams are progressing toward the season's final stretch. Both teams lacked MVP candidates Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Dončić. The Thunder demonstrated their system is resilient, with five players scoring in double digits. Meanwhile, the Lakers struggled to establish consistent playmaking beyond LeBron James, while the new trade acquisition continues to play well. They are still very dependent on Luka to run the offense.
Williams’ Impressive Return
After missing 10 games due to a hamstring injury, Jalen Williams showed no signs of rust. He led all scorers with 23 points, with 15 coming in a strong second half. His ability to create his own shots in clutch moments was crucial when the Lakers threatened to take the lead in the fourth quarter. OKC’s bench was impactful, especially Isaiah Joe with 19 points, going four for eight from three, and Alex Caruso with 17 points. The Thunder shot over 40% from beyond the arc, exposing a Lakers defense that often lost track of perimeter shooters. Caruso’s energy, especially in what was dubbed his revenge game, was evident; his defensive versatility against Austin Reaves and Marcus Smart hindered the Lakers' comeback efforts.
LeBron Still Beating Father Time
At 41, LeBron James nearly carried the Lakers back into the game, scoring 14 of his 22 points in the second half. He delivered a highlight with a powerful dunk over Chet Holmgren, reaffirming that he can still challenge top rim protectors. However, without Luka's spacing, LeBron faced frequent double-teams in the closing minutes, leading to a few uncharacteristic turnovers. The newest member in OKC, Jared McCain, traded from the Philadelphia 76ers just in his second game, added seven quick points, and showed high energy as a connector in the second unit. He appears to be adapting seamlessly to the Thunder's positionless system. The Lakers' offense grew stagnant in the closing minutes. Without Luka’s gravity, OKC was able to swarm LeBron, forcing three critical late-game turnovers. The win confirmed the Thunder as the top seed. For the Lakers, the three-game winning streak has ended, and now they must focus on the training room. In a closely contested Western Conference, they cannot afford a long absence from Dončić. Next up for the Lakers is a date with the Spurs at home before the all-star break.
