Anthony Davis delivered a strong performance with 27 points and 15 rebounds, alongside LeBron James’ 25 points, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 112-105 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder during Monday’s NBA action. This victory ended the Thunder’s four-game winning streak.
D’Angelo Russell contributed 14 points and seven assists, helping the Lakers secure their sixth win in 18 games. This includes two victories against the Thunder. LeBron James emphasized the importance of high-assist games for the team’s rhythm and success.
“When we have high-assist games where guys are feeling in a rhythm, it’s a pretty good game for us,” James said. “We’ve got to try to look at this and be more consistent with that.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, playing with a right knee sprain, scored 24 points, 16 in the first half, for the Thunder. However, Oklahoma City experienced its lowest offensive output in 19 games, with the Lakers contributing to two of their four losses in their last 16 games.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: LeBron James, Anthony Davis Los Angeles Lakers, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
Jalen Williams managed 25 points, but Chet Holmgren and Josh Giddey combined for only 17 points. The Thunder are now embarking on a crucial four-game series against top teams in the West, including matches against the Clippers and the conference-leading Timberwolves.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault acknowledged the Lakers’ effective game plan and execution, attributing his team’s loss to a combination of LA’s defense and their own offensive struggles.
“I thought (the Lakers) had a good plan,” Daigneault said. “They did a really good job of game-planning and execution. They deserved to win. We didn’t shoot the ball great. We didn’t generate a great rhythm offensively. Some of that was them, some of that was us, so it was certainly not our best game, but certainly something to learn from.”
LeBron James, returning from an injury, scored 17 points in the second half, including a key layup to give the Lakers their first double-digit lead. A dunk by Gilgeous-Alexander brought the Thunder closer, but a decisive play by James and Davis with a two-handed slam sealed the Lakers’ win.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: LeBron James, Anthony Davis Los Angeles Lakers, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
Davis and James, with five years of playing together, credited their on-court connection to the time and effort they invested in the game. The Lakers are entering a critical two-week period where they aim to strengthen their playoff contention, focusing on defense as the key to success.
“That’s five years of playing together,” Davis said. “LeBron is a great passer. Me and him just have that connection. … Just a lot of time and effort, blood and sweat we put into the game to have that connection.”
The Lakers faced challenges with Cam Reddish out due to knee swelling and switched to a starting backcourt of Russell and Austin Reaves, who scored 15 points. Davis’ aggression and Holmgren’s early foul trouble gave the Lakers a 64-44 edge in points in the paint.
“I think it starts with us defensively to make that push,” Davis said. “We’re a good team when we’re defensive-minded, and when we show what we can do defensively on the floor, we tend to win those games.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: LeBron James, Anthony Davis Los Angeles Lakers, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
Holmgren highlighted the Lakers’ size and athleticism, stressing the need to match their intensity.
“The Lakers have size all across the board as well as athleticism,” Holmgren said. “They’re going to bring the intensity, so when they hit you, you’ve got to hit them back. Otherwise, they’re just going to try and punk you, if you let them.”
Next up, the Thunder will face the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday, and the Lakers will host the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday.
