After the Los Angeles Lakers’ dominant 126-99 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, LeBron James shared his thoughts on the team’s progress.
“They know who they are … We are still trying to figure it out … We understand that coming down the stretch we have to play some really good basketball, but we’re still working our habits,” James said, acknowledging the challenges ahead as the Lakers work towards fine-tuning their game.
Luka Doncic was instrumental in the Lakers’ victory, scoring 30 points and leading the charge with a blistering performance in the first half. The Purple and Gold’s shooting was on fire, as they hit a franchise-record 15 three-pointers in the first half alone. Doncic connected on five of his 11 three-point attempts, providing the spark the Lakers needed to bury the Thunder early.
With the win, the Lakers improved to 48-30 and solidified their hold on the third spot in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, Oklahoma City’s league-leading record dropped to 64-14, but they still remain at the top of the standings with five games left in the season.
James added 19 points and seven assists in the victory, playing a key role in the Lakers’ offensive execution. Austin Reaves chipped in with 20 points, helping the Lakers extend their lead throughout the game. The Lakers have now won four of their last five games as they continue to find their rhythm heading into the postseason.
Despite a strong individual performance from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 26 points, the Thunder struggled to keep up with Los Angeles’ pace. Oklahoma City lost back-to-back games for just the second time this season. Jalen Williams added 16 points, but the team couldn’t get their offense clicking, particularly from beyond the arc, where they shot just 43.3% overall.
Los Angeles set the tone early, scoring 42 points in the first quarter and opening up a 10-point lead. The Thunder’s defense was repeatedly compromised by the Lakers’ shooting, as Los Angeles shot 55% from three-point range, finishing 22-for-40 from deep. The Lakers also shot 54.8% from the field overall and dominated the boards with a 43-34 rebounding advantage.
In a memorable moment, LeBron James’ son, Bronny James, hit a corner three in the final minute to close out the scoring. The crowd erupted, adding to the significance of the game as the Lakers took full control in the second half.
Dorian Finney-Smith also contributed off the bench, finishing with 14 points and a game-high plus-28 in 29 minutes. His four-for-five shooting from three-point range provided another layer to the Lakers’ offensive attack.
The Thunder’s team defense could not contain the Lakers’ fast-paced, efficient offense, and they struggled to keep up with the shooting barrage. The loss marks another challenge for Oklahoma City as they prepare for their next matchup with the Lakers.
The teams will meet again on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, where the Thunder will look to rebound and the Lakers will aim to continue their strong play. As the regular season winds down, both teams are gearing up for the postseason with important games ahead.
