Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dominates with 36 points in Thunder's win over Lakers

On Friday night, November 29, 2024, the Oklahoma City Thunder faced the Los Angeles Lakers in an NBA Cup game held in Los Angeles, California. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the standout player, scoring 36 points, with a critical contribution of 15 points in the fourth quarter alone. His performance was pivotal in helping the Thunder secure a 101-93 victory, marking their fourth consecutive win. Jalen Williams supported the team with an additional 19 points. This victory was particularly significant for the Thunder, as they continued to show strong form in the ongoing tournament. The Lakers struggled throughout the match and have now lost four out of their last five games, dropping them to a record of 2-2 in the NBA Cup group stage. Dalton Knecht led the Lakers with 20 points, including five three-pointers, while D'Angelo Russell provided 17 points off the bench. The loss puts the Lakers in a difficult position as they cannot advance to the quarterfinals after having won the inaugural NBA Cup tournament the previous year. In a critical moment of the game, the Lakers made a late comeback attempt, narrowing the Thunder's lead to just one point. However, a costly turnover by Austin Reaves allowed the Thunder to extend their lead, sealing their victory. The Thunder's defense played a significant role, highlighted by their ability to force 17 turnovers from the Lakers, four of which occurred in the crucial fourth quarter. As the tournament progresses, the Thunder, now tied for a strong position in West Group B with the Phoenix and San Antonio teams at 2-1, look forward to their upcoming matchup against the Houston Rockets. Meanwhile, the Lakers will be hoping to regroup as they face the Utah Jazz in their next game, needing to find solutions to their recent struggles. The Thunder's performance is a demonstration of their resilience and capability to compete at a high level, positioning them as strong contenders in the tournament.