The Los Angeles Lakers made a statement earlier today with a convincing 126-99 win over the OKC Thunder. This is the first time this season OKC has lost back-to-back games, as they’re coming off the end of an 11-game win streak at the hands of the Houston Rockets.
The Lakers’ defense managed something incredible. MVP frontrunner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been repeatedly mocked by fans this season for his free-throw shooting frequency. However, Shai recorded 0 attempts from the line for the first time since December 18, 2021 – 1,205 days ago.
He put up 26 points (12-23 FG) and nine assists, but without a single free-throw attempt. Funnily, he did get a shooting foul call in his favor against Luka Doncic, but the Lakers coaching staff was quick to challenge it and get it overturned.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander kicks his leg out and Luka Doncic is called for the foul.
The Lakers successfully challenge this (the ref later corrected himself – the Lakers will lose their timeout, as it was their 2nd challenge).
I see this kick out so often, as of late – Steph curry… pic.twitter.com/89tGsTsyX1
— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) April 6, 2025
Whether it was the referees giving Shai a harder whistle as a taste for the Playoffs or it was the Lakers intentionally minimizing contact with Shai, it was game-changing tonight.
Shai is averaging 32.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.4 assists this season with 7.9 free throws made per game. He would still be one of the league’s leading scorer if free throws didn’t exist, so it’s clear he is a strong scorer. He still got 26 tonight as well, a night where none of his teammates could find a way to score on the Lakers’ defense.
This was a long and impressive streak for Shai. He will likely not feel any type of way about the end of this streak, but it’d be silly to say his output was completely unaffected by the lack of free throws tonight.
OKC received a total of 12 free throws to the Lakers’ 17 in the game, with both teams shooting far fewer free shots than their season averages would suggest. There wasn’t much reason to foul in the second half after the Lakers secured a 22-point lead in the first 24 minutes of the game.
Shai Opens Up On His First Matchup Against Luka On The Lakers
Shai faced off against the man who sent him home in the 2024 Playoffs, Luka Doncic. The difference is that their Playoff matchup happened with Luka on the Dallas Mavericks. This was their first game against each other since Luka joined the Lakers, with Shai reflecting on this matchup by saying it’s the same talented guy he’s always faced.
“Their attack becomes more perimeter and less interior, and that’s the difference in their attack… same guy. It felt like the same Luka Doncic. Good basketball player.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on facing a Luka Doncic-led Lakers for the first time:
“Their attack becomes more perimeter and less interior, and that’s the difference in their attack… same guy. It felt like the same Luka Doncic. Good basketball player” pic.twitter.com/VXTNJrHqSX
— Josue Pavón (@Joe_Sway) April 7, 2025
Both stars are complimentary of the other whenever asked, which shows they clearly respect each other’s games. They’ll always be compared due to both being a part of the 2018 Draft Class. Even though Doncic’s career got off to a hot start, it seems Shai will win MVP before Doncic.
There’s still a lot of Playoff success for Shai to catch up on, but he’ll have a great chance on the No. 1 seeded Thunder, who many consider favorites for the title. The Lakers’ loss might alarm some people, but it won’t change the fact that this could be OKC’s best shot at a title since 2016.
