The Los Angeles Lakers dropped to 11-8 on the season and 2-2 in the NBA Cup following a 101-93 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena on Friday. It was the Lakers' fourth loss in the last five games and they are now all but eliminated from the Cup as well.
The Lakers' big guns didn't show up in this one. LeBron James had just 12 points (5-13 FG), eight rebounds, and six assists in the contest while Anthony Davis had 15 points (5-10 FG), 12 rebounds, seven assists, one steal, and four blocks. Had the two stars played better, the Lakers might well have come out victorious here and their fans weren't happy after the game.
"OKC’s MVP: the LeBron James," one fan said James was the Thunder's MVP.
"Get Lavine and Ball. Trade Dlo, Rui, Christie, anyone from the bench," one fan wanted the whole bench to be shipped out.
"Rookie dam near carrying the team," one fan was disappointed that a rookie like Dalton Knecht was having to carry the team.
"Pelinka, you just chilling while we keep taking Ls? You must enjoy this mess huh," one fan called out Lakers GM Rob Pelinka.
"If the goal of this team is to not make it past the first or second round we looking good," one reckoned the Lakers are on course for another early playoff exit.
This was a tight back-and-forth affair for much of the night, but the Lakers lost their way at the end. They had cut the Thunder's lead down to 92-91 with just under three minutes remaining but then allowed the visitors to go on a 9-2 run to close out the contest.
Apart from James and Davis' struggles, two other factors doomed the Lakers in this one. First, they had 17 turnovers that led to 20 points for the Thunder. Second, they gave up 15 offensive rebounds that led to 16 second-chance points for the visitors. They were too careless with the ball and didn't hustle on the glass either.
As for the positives, rookie Dalton Knecht had 20 points (7-17 FG), six rebounds, and four assists. The 23-year-old has done well when given a starting spot and was probably the only bright spot on the night for the Lakers.
For the Thunder, meanwhile, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shone yet again. Gilgeous-Alexander had 36 points (13-28 FG), seven rebounds, nine assists, two steals, and a block on the night. He scored 15 points in the fourth quarter to ensure the Thunder came away with the win to improve to 15-4 on the season and 2-1 in the Cup.
A loss here would have seen the Thunder be eliminated from the Cup and they could now book their spot in the knockouts by beating the Utah Jazz in their final group stage game on Dec. 3. For now, though, their focus would be on their next game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on Sunday at 7 PM ET.
As for the Lakers, they'll take on the Jazz next at Delta Center on Sunday at 8 PM ET. They won the only other meeting between these two this season and would be hoping for a repeat.
