LOS ANGELES — D’Angelo Russell hit 5 3-pointers whereas scoring 26 factors, and Anthony Davis added 24 factors and 12 rebounds within the Los Angeles Lakers‘ 116-104 victory over the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder on Monday evening.
LeBron James had 19 factors, 11 rebounds and eight assists within the Lakers’ tenth victory in 14 video games. Austin Reaves added 16 factors whereas hitting 4 3s for the Lakers, who received their third straight assembly with the Western Convention-leading Thunder to take the season collection.
“They’re so well-coached which you could’t chill out,” Russell stated. “That staff has received all the things you have to win and to be environment friendly at this degree. You’ve received to be able to play in opposition to these guys. It’s no fluke (to beat them).”
In his first recreation since scoring his report 40,000th profession level in a loss to Denver, James almost received a triple-double earlier than the Lakers’ large lead allowed him to take a seat out the ultimate six minutes. Davis was capable of sit out all the fourth quarter when the Lakers hit six 3-pointers in fast succession throughout his absence, boosting their result in 25 factors.
Russell punctuated the Lakers’ decisive rally by hitting 3-pointers on three consecutive possessions with growing theatrics.
“My teammates discover me once I’m sizzling,” Russell stated. “It makes it simpler once I can stretch the ground like that. That’s what capturing does. It’s a pleasure.”
Russell handed to James earlier than his third 3-pointer with 9:06 to play, however James whipped the ball proper again to him for a shot that left Russell sprawled on his again from uncalled defensive contact, placing the Lakers up 103-79 and incomes a standing ovation.
“I didn’t know I made the shot,” Russell stated. “I simply type of threw it up there. Fortunate shot.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 20 factors — ending his streak of eight consecutive 30-point video games — for the Thunder, who misplaced for under the second time in 9 video games. Lu Dort and Chet Holmgren added 15 factors apiece.
“Our begin was good offensively, however our total sharpness simply wasn’t there,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault stated. “Defensively, we turned them over a bunch of occasions, and that stored us in it. However actually not our fastball tonight. … I simply didn’t assume we have been as sharp offensively as we wanted to be. A staff like that that’s received measurement and physicality, that’s a requirement to hit pictures in opposition to them, however we simply didn’t do this sufficient.”
Oklahoma Metropolis hit a season-low 30.6% of its pictures within the first half whereas taking part in on probably weary legs through the third cease of a four-game highway journey that included a draining win at Phoenix on Sunday.
“Clearly, they’re coming off a troublesome back-to-back,” Reaves stated. “However any time you may beat a staff confidently going into the fourth of that caliber, it speaks to what you probably did offensively and defensively. … Anytime you beat a staff like that that’s been taking part in actually good basketball, it feels good and it provides you some momentum going ahead.”
Each groups weren’t in prime kind within the first half. The Thunder jumped to a fast 12-point lead, however then fell right into a 2-for-21 capturing droop that allowed the Lakers to take a double-digit lead regardless of committing 12 turnovers.
Oklahoma Metropolis large man Jaylin Williams missed his second straight recreation with a sprained left knee. Mike Muscala made his first look since rejoining the Thunder from Detroit, scoring 5 factors in 11 minutes.
Harry Giles III made his Lakers debut within the last minutes.
UP NEXT
Thunder: At Portland on Wednesday.
Lakers: Host Sacramento on Wednesday.
