Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continued his dominant form with a 36-point performance, including 15 in the fourth quarter, as the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 101-93 in an NBA Cup game Friday night. Gilgeous-Alexander’s fifth 30-point outing in six games propelled the Thunder to their fourth straight victory, keeping them alive in the West Group B race at 2-1.Â
Jalen Williams chipped in 19 points, and Isaiah Hartenstein provided a crucial presence inside with 11 points and a season-high 18 rebounds. The Lakers, reigning NBA Cup champions, were eliminated from quarterfinal contention, falling to 2-2 in the group.
Dalton Knecht’s sharpshooting kept the Lakers in the game, as the rookie tallied 20 points with five 3-pointers. D’Angelo Russell added 17 points off the bench, while Anthony Davis posted 15 points and 12 rebounds. However, the Lakers faltered in key moments, committing 17 turnovers—four in the final quarter—including a costly late miscue from Austin Reaves that led to an Oklahoma City dunk, sealing the game.Â
The Thunder’s dominance on the glass, including 15 offensive rebounds, matched their season-high and helped secure the win as Los Angeles dropped four of its last five games. Following this frustrating result, let’s grade the Lakers players.Â
Anthony Davis: B+
Stats: 15 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal, 4 blocks, 2 fouls, 1 turnover, 5-9 FG, 0-0 3PT FG, 5-7 FT, 38 mins
Anthony Davis filled the stat sheet with 15 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists, and an impressive 4 blocks. His efficiency (5-of-9 FG) and interior defense were critical for the Lakers, but his inability to assert himself offensively down the stretch left the team searching for answers in clutch moments. He played a major role in anchoring the defense, particularly against Oklahoma City’s physicality inside. However, the Lakers needed more aggression from him offensively to counter Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s dominance.
Dalton Knecht: B+
Stats: 20 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 2 fouls, 0 turnovers, 7-17 FG, 6-13 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 33 mins
The rookie once again showcased his scoring ability, dropping 20 points with six 3-pointers. His 6 rebounds and 4 assists highlighted his well-rounded game, but his 7-of-17 shooting reflects a slight inefficiency. Knecht displayed remarkable confidence for a rookie, stepping up as a primary offensive option when veterans struggled. His floor spacing was invaluable, but a few untimely misses kept the Lakers from capitalizing on key moments.
D’Angelo Russell: B
Stats: 17 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 0 blocks, 4 fouls, 4 turnovers, 6-11 FG, 4-9 3PT FG, 1-1 FT, 26 mins
Russell contributed 17 points and nearly notched a double-double with 9 rebounds. He shot efficiently (6-of-11 FG) but was plagued by 4 turnovers, including a couple in crucial moments. Despite coming off the bench, Russell provided a much-needed offensive spark and played with aggression. However, his defensive lapses and occasional poor shot selection hindered his overall impact.
LeBron James: C+
Stats: 12 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 0 fouls, 5 turnovers, 5-13 FG, 0-4 3PT FG, 2-2 FT, 34 mins
LeBron James struggled to find his rhythm offensively, scoring just 12 points on 5-of-13 shooting and going 0-for-4 from beyond the arc. His 8 rebounds and 6 assists provided some value, but his 5 turnovers, particularly in critical moments, hurt the Lakers’ chances. The veteran seemed a step slow against Oklahoma City’s young and energetic defense, particularly in transition. While his leadership was evident, the Lakers needed a vintage performance that James couldn’t deliver this time.
Max Christie: C+
Stats: 8 points, 1 rebound, 0 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 2 fouls, 1 turnover, 2-3 FG, 0-1 3PT FG, 4-4 FT, 23 mins
Christie showed flashes with 8 points on efficient shooting (2-of-3 FG, 4-of-4 FT), but his minimal contributions in other areas made for a quiet performance. His solid free-throw shooting was a bright spot. The second-year player displayed poise offensively but struggled to impact the game on the defensive end. More consistency in off-ball movement could have opened better opportunities for himself and his teammates.
Rui Hachimura: C
Stats: 8 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 1 foul, 1 turnover, 4-7 FG, 0-1 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 30 mins
Hachimura had a decent outing with 8 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists on 4-of-7 shooting. However, his inability to make a greater impact, especially on the defensive glass, left the Lakers vulnerable against Oklahoma City’s relentless rebounding. He provided some solid interior scoring but lacked the defensive energy needed to counter the Thunder’s aggressiveness. Hachimura also seemed hesitant to take open shots, limiting his overall offensive output.
Austin Reaves: C
Stats: 11 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 3 fouls, 5 turnovers, 3-11 FG, 1-9 3PT FG, 4-5 FT, 29 mins
Austin Reaves struggled offensively, shooting just 3-of-11 from the field and 1-of-9 from three. While he managed 11 points and 5 rebounds, his 5 turnovers—including a costly one late in the game—overshadowed his efforts. Reaves appeared out of sync all night, failing to establish a rhythm against the Thunder’s defensive schemes. His usual playmaking and energy were noticeably absent, leaving a void in the Lakers’ backcourt. However, he gets credit for managing to overcome a scary-looking back injury by showing heart to return to the court.Â
Gabe Vincent: C
Stats: 2 points, 1 rebound, 0 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 2 fouls, 0 turnovers, 1-1 FG, 0-0 3PT FG, 0-2 FT, 15 mins
Vincent played limited minutes, scoring just 2 points on 1-of-1 shooting. He missed both free-throw attempts and had a minimal impact overall. While Vincent’s defensive effort was commendable, his lack of offensive aggression left the Lakers short-handed in key stretches. His failure to capitalize on free-throw opportunities further diminished his effectiveness in limited minutes.
Cam Reddish: C
Stats: 0 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 2 fouls, 0 turnovers, 0-1 FG, 0-1 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 13 mins
Reddish failed to contribute in 13 minutes, going scoreless and without a single rebound or assist. His lack of impact offensively and defensively made him a non-factor in this game. He struggled to find his footing in limited action and seemed disengaged on both ends of the court. Reddish needs to make the most of his opportunities to earn consistent minutes in the rotation.
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