The Oklahoma City Thunder thumped the Los Angeles Lakers, 133-110, on Thursday night, November 30, at the Paycom Center, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander exploding for 33 points.
However, it was more than SGA at work. Most players fielded contributed, including Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgreen, and Josh Giddey. Seven players finished with 10 points or more for Thunder coach Mark Daigneault via ESPN.
"I just thought we really exerted ourselves on the game and our defense - how we scrambled, our running. We were just fast tonight," he said.
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The Lakers played with a shorthanded lineup with several players on the injured list. LeBron James was a game-time decision. Regardless, he still finished with a double-double of 21 points and 12 rebounds to go with six assists in 35 minutes of action.
Anthony Davis led the Lakers' losing cause with 31 points and 14 rebounds, per NBA.com.
"Our guys fought to the best of their ability. You know, obviously, there's some things we need to clean up and we could have done better. We tried our best under the circumstances," Lakers coach Darvin Ham said.
Thunder were simply dominant
In their matchup, it was clear that the Thunder dominated all departments. They shot better from the field (53.2%), controlled the boards (48-41), and played better as a team, as can be seen in the assists department (29-24).
"I have no idea where we are," James said. "We don't have a group yet. I know what some of us individually are," he added.
Defense did it for OKC
The level of confidence in the Thunder was evident. A huge part that contributed to that was their defense, as pointed out by Holmgreen.
"It starts on the defensive end, really playing as a unit, playing together and for each other, and then it kind of spirals into our offense," the rookie big man said.
Lakers tried but failed to compete
There is no question that the Lakers looked good in the early goings against the Thunder. But with only D'Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves helping out.
Russell finished with 16 points and 10 assists, while Reaves chipped in 14 points coming off the bench.
Things won't get any easier for the Lakers, who are headed home to prepare for their next opponent - the Houston Rockets, on Saturday, December 2. It will be the third meeting between the two teams, each owning a win on their turf, per SI.com.
Will Zach LaVine trade gain ground for struggling LA?
However, the Lakers' struggles are secondary to the buzz in the NBA trade rumor mill. The Zach LaVine trade talk remains in the air, and Shams Charania of The Athletic hinted at what could convince the Chicago Bulls to agree to a trade.
"The Bulls, I'm sure, would covet Austin Reaves in any potential Zach LaVine trade," Charania said.
Reaves has often been mentioned in trade talks, so it will be interesting if the Lakers change their stance this time. Adding a third superstar would make sense, but it places LA back on their main problem when changing it up - chemistry.
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