Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder eliminate Lakers in NBA Cup
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots as Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis, right, defends during the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
LOS ANGELES — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 36 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter, and the Oklahoma City Thunder held on for a 101-93 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in an NBA Cup game on Friday night.
It is the fifth time in the past six games Gilgeous-Alexander has scored at least 30 points. Jalen Williams added 19 points as the Thunder won their fourth straight.
Article continues after this advertisementDalton Knecht scored 20 points, including five 3-pointers for the Lakers, who have dropped four of their last five. D’Angelo Russell had 17 points off the bench.
READ: Thunder face Lakers in NBA Cup, eye perfect road trip
JDUB seals the DUB. @okcthunder (2-1) keep their #EmiratesNBACup hopes alive ⛈️🏆 https://t.co/9pAzWNCEOO pic.twitter.com/wEm6ZkUtvx
— NBA (@NBA) November 30, 2024
With the loss, Los Angeles can not advance to the quarterfinals after winning the inaugural NBA Cup tournament last year.
Article continues after this advertisementPhoenix, San Antonio and Oklahoma City are all 2-1 in West Group B while the Lakers are 2-2.
The Lakers drew within one point before Gilgeous-Alexander hit a 3-pointer with 1:35 remaining to put the Thunder up 95-91.
Takeaways
Thunder: Isaiah Hartenstein scored 11 points and pulled down a season-high 18 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season.
Lakers: Anthony Davis had 15 points and 12 rebounds and LeBron James scored 12.
READ: NBA: Lakers back into win column with win over Wembanyama, Spurs
Key moment
The Lakers still had a chance to come back, down four with 22.4 seconds remaining, but Austin Reaves made a bad pass, which was stolen by Williams and led to an easy dunk to give Oklahoma City a 99-93 advantage.
Key stat
The Lakers committed four of their 17 turnovers in the fourth quarter. … Oklahoma City tied a season high with 15 offensive rebounds.
Up next
The Thunder are at Houston on Sunday while the Lakers are at Utah on Sunday.
