Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continued his torrid scoring stretch with a 36-point performance, including 15 crucial points in the fourth quarter, to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 101-93 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in NBA Cup action on Friday night.
The win marked Oklahoma City’s fourth consecutive victory and kept them firmly in the hunt for a spot in the tournament’s knockout rounds.
The Thunder leaned heavily on Gilgeous-Alexander, who has now scored at least 30 points in five of his last six outings. His late-game heroics, highlighted by a clutch three-pointer with 1:35 remaining, gave Oklahoma City the breathing room they needed to fend off a surging Lakers team. Jalen Williams chipped in with 19 points and a key defensive play that sealed the win for the Thunder in the final moments.
On the other side, the Lakers’ struggles continued, with the team dropping four of their last five games. Dalton Knecht provided a spark with 20 points, including five three-pointers, while D’Angelo Russell added 17 points off the bench. However, turnovers and inconsistent execution down the stretch proved costly for Los Angeles.
Despite showing flashes of resilience, the Lakers’ hopes of advancing in the NBA Cup were dashed with the loss. As the defending champions of last year’s inaugural tournament, they now find themselves eliminated from quarterfinal contention in West Group B.
Advertisement
We’re on Social Media
Follow us on X
See more football highlights
The game remained competitive throughout, with the Lakers pulling within one point late in the fourth quarter. But Gilgeous-Alexander responded with a dagger three-pointer that extended Oklahoma City’s lead to 95-91, effectively shutting the door on Los Angeles’ comeback bid.
Anthony Davis finished with 15 points and 12 rebounds, while LeBron James was held to just 12 points. Both stars struggled to find a consistent rhythm against a scrappy Thunder defense that capitalized on turnovers and controlled the boards.
Isaiah Hartenstein provided a strong interior presence for Oklahoma City, recording his fourth double-double of the season with 11 points and a season-high 18 rebounds. The Thunder matched their season high with 15 offensive boards, creating multiple second-chance opportunities that proved pivotal in a tightly contested game.
Turnovers were a glaring issue for the Lakers, who committed 17 on the night, including four critical giveaways in the fourth quarter. A costly misstep came with 22.4 seconds remaining when Austin Reaves’ errant pass was intercepted by Williams, leading to an emphatic dunk that put the game out of reach.
The Thunder’s ability to outwork the Lakers on the glass and maintain composure in crunch time underscored their balanced effort. While Gilgeous-Alexander’s offensive brilliance stole the spotlight, Oklahoma City’s team defense and rebounding edge were instrumental in securing the win.
For the Lakers, the loss highlights ongoing struggles with execution and depth as they navigate a challenging stretch of their schedule. The absence of consistent production from their supporting cast has placed a heavy burden on their stars, who were unable to deliver in this pivotal matchup.
Looking ahead, the Thunder (2-1 in West Group B) remain in contention alongside Phoenix and San Antonio, all tied in group play standings. They’ll travel to face Houston on Sunday in another crucial NBA Cup clash. The Lakers, now 2-2 in group play, will head to Utah the same day, seeking to regain some momentum in the regular season.
Oklahoma City’s victory not only bolsters their NBA Cup aspirations but also reinforces their growing reputation as a team capable of stepping up in high-stakes games. With Gilgeous-Alexander leading the charge, the Thunder are proving they belong among the league’s most competitive squads this season.