The Oklahoma City Thunder inflicted a heavy defeat on the Los Angeles Lakers, a loss made worse by an injury to Luka Doncic. The reigning NBA champions Thunder secured a 139-96 victory.
Thunder Dominate Lakers
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 28 points for the Thunder, helping his team improve their league-best record to 61-16. The Lakers have only been beaten by a greater margin on six occasions. This 43-point loss was just six points short of their worst margin of defeat against the Dallas Mavericks in 2017.
It marked the Lakers’ first defeat in five games.
Doncic Injured
The Lakers must now determine the severity of Doncic’s left hamstring injury. The Slovenian appeared emotional as he exited the court during the third quarter. Doncic, who had scored 40 or more points in each of his previous three games and five of his past seven, will have an MRI scan on Friday, Lakers coach JJ Redick confirmed.
James Scores 13 in Loss
The Lakers had won 13 of their previous 14 games as they seek to hold on to the third seeding in the Western Conference, behind Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs, before the play-offs begin on 18 April. Gilgeous-Alexander also finished with seven rebounds and seven assists. Isaiah Joe added 20 points for the Thunder.
Austin Reaves led the Lakers with 15 points despite struggling with back pain, and LeBron James added 13 in 26 minutes. Thunder’s 139 points were the most conceded by the Lakers this season and the 43-point defeat was the team’s heaviest since a 44-point loss to Philadelphia in November 2023.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander became the third Thunder player to win the MVP award since 2014 last year.