The Oklahoma City Thunder dealt a crushing blow to the Los Angeles Lakers, routing them 121-92 in a lopsided victory at home. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge with 30 points and nine assists, while Isaiah Joe chipped in with 21 more as the Thunder improved their league-best record to 12-1.
The Lakers, meanwhile, were held to just 40.3 percent shooting by Oklahoma City's stifling defense, led by Lu Dort's absence due to an injury. Luka Doncic, who was averaging 37.1 points coming into the game, was restricted to 19 points on 7-for-20 shooting.
Austin Reaves managed only 13 points for Los Angeles, and the team was unable to get close to Oklahoma City's total as they struggled to score in the second half. The Thunder took control early, with a 30-18 lead at the end of the first quarter before extending their advantage to 70-38 by halftime.
The Lakers' lack of depth was exposed in the third quarter, when Gilgeous-Alexander drove past defenders and fired a behind-the-back pass to Joe for a three-pointer as time expired. The Thunder's bench also contributed to their lead, with several players scoring in double figures.
In other news from around the NBA, Stephen Curry exploded for 46 points, his season high, as the Golden State Warriors beat the San Antonio Spurs 125-120. Curry's fourth three-pointer gave Golden State a 74-73 lead with five minutes left in the third quarter, and he finished with 29 more points in the second half.
Curry had a remarkable performance, going 9-for-17 from beyond the arc and making all nine of his free-throw attempts. His teammate Jimmy Butler added 28 points and eight assists for Golden State, while Moses Moody chipped in with 19 more.
The Spurs were led by Victor Wembanyama's triple-double, but it wasn't enough to overcome Curry's hot shooting. Wembanyama had 31 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists, but his team struggled from the free-throw line, converting just 14 of 16 attempts.
In another notable matchup, the Los Angeles Lakers lost for the second time this season without LeBron James, who practiced with the team's G League affiliate earlier in the day. The Thunder's victory improved their record to 12-1, while the Warriors and Spurs each suffered losses that kept them tied for third place in their respective divisions.
With several teams jockeying for position in the Western Conference standings, these games will likely have a significant impact on the NBA's playoff picture as the season enters its second half.
The Lakers, meanwhile, were held to just 40.3 percent shooting by Oklahoma City's stifling defense, led by Lu Dort's absence due to an injury. Luka Doncic, who was averaging 37.1 points coming into the game, was restricted to 19 points on 7-for-20 shooting.
Austin Reaves managed only 13 points for Los Angeles, and the team was unable to get close to Oklahoma City's total as they struggled to score in the second half. The Thunder took control early, with a 30-18 lead at the end of the first quarter before extending their advantage to 70-38 by halftime.
The Lakers' lack of depth was exposed in the third quarter, when Gilgeous-Alexander drove past defenders and fired a behind-the-back pass to Joe for a three-pointer as time expired. The Thunder's bench also contributed to their lead, with several players scoring in double figures.
In other news from around the NBA, Stephen Curry exploded for 46 points, his season high, as the Golden State Warriors beat the San Antonio Spurs 125-120. Curry's fourth three-pointer gave Golden State a 74-73 lead with five minutes left in the third quarter, and he finished with 29 more points in the second half.
Curry had a remarkable performance, going 9-for-17 from beyond the arc and making all nine of his free-throw attempts. His teammate Jimmy Butler added 28 points and eight assists for Golden State, while Moses Moody chipped in with 19 more.
The Spurs were led by Victor Wembanyama's triple-double, but it wasn't enough to overcome Curry's hot shooting. Wembanyama had 31 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists, but his team struggled from the free-throw line, converting just 14 of 16 attempts.
In another notable matchup, the Los Angeles Lakers lost for the second time this season without LeBron James, who practiced with the team's G League affiliate earlier in the day. The Thunder's victory improved their record to 12-1, while the Warriors and Spurs each suffered losses that kept them tied for third place in their respective divisions.
With several teams jockeying for position in the Western Conference standings, these games will likely have a significant impact on the NBA's playoff picture as the season enters its second half.
They got destroyed by Oklahoma City and it's not like they're used to playing against teams that can shut them down like that. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander just went off for 30 points and nine assists, and Isaiah Joe added another 21. I think the Thunder's defense really had something to do with this one... Lu Dort was out due to injury, but still, they managed to hold Luka Doncic to just 19 points.
46 points from three-point range? Unreal!
shai gilgeous-alexander is on fire with 30 points and 9 assists, and isaiah joe is chipping in big time too 
lu Dort might be out, but his defense is still giving the lakers fits 
austin reaves can't even get close to oklahoma city's total 
what's going on with the lakers? they need some depth ASAP 
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was on FIRE 
w/ 30 points & 9 assists!!! and Isaiah Joe wasn't 2 shabby either w/ 21 more points 
. The Thunder's defense was on point too, holding Luka Doncic to just 19 points. That's gotta sting for him 
. It'll be interesting to see how they bounce back, but right now, they're in a tough spot.
He's on fire this season! 46 points and 9 three-pointers? The dude is unstoppable 
.
. With LeBron James out, it's like they're scrambling to find their identity. They can't keep relying on one guy to carry them through every game 
.
. The Lakers are just getting DESTROYED 
. I mean, they can't even get close to Oklahoma City's score 
. This game was like a clinic on defense, with Lu Dort's absence and all 
. Luka Doncic couldn't do squat 
. The Thunder's bench is like a well-oiled machine 
!
i mean, it's not like they didn't see this coming but still, 12-1 is crazy for the Thunder lol what's up with luka dontcic's shot though? was it the defence or his game plan that stopped him from getting those points in double digits 
! But this Thunder win will definitely give them some serious momentum 
Austin Reaves only scored 13 and that's just not enough for a team like the Lakers.
. His ability to control the game and make clutch plays is undeniable. Meanwhile, the Lakers' inability to adapt to Oklahoma City's stifling defense highlights the importance of depth and versatility 
. It's interesting to note how teams like Golden State, which have shown remarkable consistency throughout their season, are now being tested by rivalries like this one 
and Austin Reaves can't even do better than that? 13 points? yikes! and don't even get me started on their defense, they got torched by the Thunder's offense 
.