Shai Gilgeous-Alexander torched the Lakers for 36 points on 13-of-20 shooting, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 130-123 victory over Los Angeles at Crypto.com Arena on Friday night. The Thunder improved to 28-5 on the season, extending their lead atop the Western Conference standings.
Gilgeous-Alexander added seven assists and five rebounds in another masterful performance that showcased why he’s emerged as a legitimate MVP candidate. The 25-year-old guard has now scored 30-plus points in four of his last six games, averaging 32.1 points per game this season.
Reaves Keeps Lakers Competitive Despite Injury Concerns
Austin Reaves paced the Lakers with 35 points on 12-of-22 shooting, including 6-of-11 from three-point range. The former undrafted guard has stepped up significantly with LeBron James dealing with foot soreness and Anthony Davis managing knee issues.
“Austin gave us everything he had tonight,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said postgame. “He’s been our most consistent player over the last two weeks.”
LeBron James contributed 19 points, eight rebounds and seven assists despite appearing to labor at times. The 39-year-old played 34 minutes but shot just 7-of-18 from the field. Anthony Davis added 15 points and 11 rebounds before fouling out with 4:12 remaining.
Thunder’s Depth Proves Decisive
Oklahoma City’s balanced attack proved too much for the injury-depleted Lakers. Jalen Williams added 20 points and six assists, while Isaiah Hartenstein dominated the paint with 14 points and 13 rebounds. The Thunder shot 52.4% from the field and outrebounded Los Angeles 48-41.
Chet Holmgren chipped in 18 points and seven rebounds, continuing his strong sophomore campaign. The 7-footer has averaged 18.2 points and 9.1 rebounds while anchoring one of the league’s top defenses.
“We’re playing the right way on both ends,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “When we move the ball like that and get stops, we’re really hard to beat.”
Playoff Picture Implications
The victory keeps Oklahoma City firmly atop the Western Conference, now 2.5 games ahead of the second-place Houston Rockets. The Thunder have won 14 of their last 16 games and own the league’s best road record at 14-3.
For the Lakers, the loss drops them to 20-14, still holding the sixth seed in the West but with several teams breathing down their necks. Los Angeles has struggled without consistent contributions from their aging stars, going 3-4 in their last seven games.
The Lakers got solid bench production from Gabe Vincent (12 points) and Christian Wood (10 points, eight rebounds), but couldn’t match the Thunder’s depth. Oklahoma City’s bench outscored Los Angeles’ reserves 42-28.
Critical Stretch Ahead
Both teams face crucial stretches in their schedules. The Thunder return home to face the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday, while the Lakers host the Charlotte Hornets on Monday before embarking on a five-game road trip.
Oklahoma City’s young core continues to mature at an accelerated pace, with Gilgeous-Alexander leading the charge. His 36-point outburst marked his 15th game with 30-plus points this season, tied for second-most in the NBA behind only Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Thunder’s next test comes against a 76ers team that should have Joel Embiid back from injury, providing another measuring stick for their championship aspirations.
