Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 28 factors, Luguentz Dort began scorching on each ends of the ground and Jalen Williams got here up huge throughout because the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder blew out the Los Angeles Lakers 139-96 at dwelling Thursday.
The Thunder have gained 4 consecutive video games and 16 of their final 17.
Not solely was the Lakers’ four-game successful streak snapped, however Luka Doncic suffered an obvious hamstring harm within the second half with the sport already out of attain.
An already unhealthy night time for Doncic acquired even worse early within the third quarter when he was dribbling into the lane and commenced to raise for a mid-range jumper.
However simply as he got here off the ground, Doncic got here down grabbing his left hamstring and shortly fell to the ground.
Doncic appeared visibly upset as he headed off the ground.
The Thunder managed the sport from the soar, constructing a double-digit lead lower than 4 minutes into the sport. That lead by no means dipped beneath 9 the remainder of the best way and did not drop beneath 23 after the primary quarter.
Oklahoma Metropolis led 82-51 at halftime.
It was the third time this season the Thunder (61-16) led by 30 or extra factors at halftime.
Two of these have come towards the Lakers (50-27). The Thunder led Los Angeles 70-38 at halftime Nov. 12 in Oklahoma Metropolis.
Dort and Williams made an affect on each ends shortly.
Williams hit a pull-up jumper on Oklahoma Metropolis’s second possession after which shortly picked up a steal and fed Dort for a 3-pointer.
Dort then had a steal and a fast dunk on the following possession.
Dort hit all 5 pictures he took within the first — 4 of them 3-pointers — for 14 factors within the opening quarter. He additionally had a pair of steals.
He performed a giant half in slowing Doncic, who had scored 40 or extra factors in his final three video games and 5 of his final seven.
Doncic missed his first 4 discipline targets and completed with simply 12 factors on 3-of-10 taking pictures. It was tied for his second-lowest scoring sport of the season.
Shortly after Doncic’s harm, the Thunder acquired a scare when Dort crashed to the ground after his legs got here out from below him as he went to the basket.
Dort shortly acquired up however went to the locker room earlier than play resumed and didn’t return.
Williams completed with 10 factors, 9 rebounds and eight assists. Isaiah Joe scored 20 — 17 within the second half.
Oklahoma Metropolis’s 139 factors had been essentially the most surrendered by the Lakers this season and the 43-point loss was Los Angeles’ worst since a 44-point loss to Philadelphia in November 2023.
Austin Reaves led the Lakers with 15 factors.
–Area Degree Media
