Shai Gilgeous-Alexander turned a tight game into a statement victory Thursday night, pouring in 14 of his 36 points in the final frame as the Oklahoma City Thunder pulled away for a 101-93 win over the shorthanded Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center.
The performance extended OKC’s winning streak to five games and dropped the Lakers to 20-16 — their fourth loss in six outings that’s starting to feel like a concerning pattern rather than a blip.
The Show Starts in Crunch Time
Down the stretch, Gilgeous-Alexander looked every bit the All-Star who carried Canada to Olympic bronze. His mid-range game was surgical, finding creases in LA’s defense that simply weren’t there earlier in the contest.
“Shai was phenomenal tonight,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said after the victory. “He made big shots when we needed them and controlled the tempo exactly how we wanted.”
The 25-year-old guard finished 13-of-22 from the field while adding eight rebounds, six assists and three steals. It was the kind of complete performance that has him in early MVP conversations.
Jalen Williams chipped in 19 points and seven boards, while rookie sensation Chet Holmgren contributed 15 points and nine rebounds before picking up his sixth foul with 3:42 left — a departure that barely slowed OKC’s momentum.
Davis’ Absence Looms Large
Playing without Anthony Davis — sidelined with a right foot injury from Tuesday’s Denver loss — the Lakers looked every bit like a team missing their defensive anchor. They were outrebounded 48-41 and had no answer for the Thunder’s athletic wings attacking the rim.
LeBron James did his best to keep pace, finishing with 25 points, eight assists and six rebounds. But the 39-year-old’s frustration boiled over in the third quarter when he picked up a technical foul arguing a non-call — the kind of body language that speaks volumes about where this team’s head is at.
He shot just 9-of-21 overall and went 0-for-5 from three-point range on a night when every possession mattered.
Russell Westbrook’s homecoming was equally forgettable. The former Thunder star managed 18 points and seven assists but coughed up six turnovers against his old squad. Austin Reaves provided 16 points off the bench in what was otherwise a forgettable night for the Lakers’ supporting cast.
Thunder’s Length Creates Chaos
OKC’s defense was the story before Gilgeous-Alexander took over offensively. They forced 18 turnovers that led to 22 points, using their length and athleticism to disrupt every Lakers possession.
The numbers tell the story: LA shot just 41.3% from the field while the Thunder connected at a crisp 47.8% clip. More telling was the transition battle, where Oklahoma City outscored Los Angeles 15-8 — the kind of easy baskets that separate good teams from great ones.
“They made it tough on us all night,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham admitted. “Credit to them – they’re well-coached, they play hard, and they execute their game plan. We’ve got to be better taking care of the basketball.”
West Standings Taking Shape
With this victory, the Thunder (26-11) maintain their grip on second place in the loaded Western Conference, now sitting 5.5 games ahead of the Lakers in the standings. For a team many expected to take a step back this season, they’re looking more and more like legitimate contenders.
Los Angeles, meanwhile, finds itself in familiar territory — .500-ish basketball that raises more questions than answers. At 8-8 in their last 16, they’re running out of time to figure out their identity before the playoff race intensifies.
The Lakers return home Saturday to face Portland at Crypto.com Arena, while the Thunder continue their homestand Sunday against Houston. But this one felt like more than just another January game — it felt like a glimpse into the conference hierarchy come April.
