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Reading: Grading Lakers Following Frustrating 101-93 Loss Against Thunder
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Home > NBA News & Analysis > Los Angeles Lakers News & Analysis > Grading Lakers Following Frustrating 101-93 Loss Against Thunder

Grading Lakers Following Frustrating 101-93 Loss Against Thunder

The Los Angeles Lakers could not compete with the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight, losing in a frustrating contest that takes their record to 11-8.

Eddie Bitar
Nov 30, 2024
8 Min Read
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Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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. 

Contents
  • Anthony Davis: B+
  • Dalton Knecht: B+
  • D’Angelo Russell: B
  • LeBron James: C+
  • Max Christie: C+
  • Rui Hachimura: C
  • Austin Reaves: C
  • Gabe Vincent: C
  • Cam Reddish: C

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. 

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. 


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. 


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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TAGGED:Anthony DavisLeBron JamesLos Angeles Lakers ArchiveOklahoma City Thunder Archive
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ByEddie Bitar
Eddie Bitar is a senior staff writer for Fadeaway World from Denver, Colorado. Since joining the team in 2017, Eddie has applied his academic background in economics and finance to enhance his sports journalism. Graduating with a Bachelor's degree from and later a Master's degree in Finance, he integrates statistical analysis into his articles. This unique approach provides readers with a deeper understanding of basketball through the lens of financial and economic concepts. Eddie's work has not only been a staple at Fadeaway World but has also been featured in prominent publications such as Sports Illustrated. His ability to break down complex data and present it in an accessible way creates an engaging and informative way to visualize both individual and team statistics. From finding the top 3 point shooters of every NBA franchise to ranking players by cost per point, Eddie is constantly finding new angles to use historical data that other NBA analysts may be overlooking.
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