Luka Doncic scored 30 points and the Los Angeles Lakers handed the league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder a 126-99 defeat Sunday night at Paycom Center.
The Lakers improved to 48-30, holding onto the third spot in the Western Conference, while the Thunder dropped to 64-14 but remained atop the standings.
Doncic shot 11-for-20 from the field and connected on five of his 11 attempts from beyond the arc, spearheading an explosive first-half display that buried Oklahoma City early.
Austin Reaves added 20 points and LeBron James recorded 19 points along with seven assists for the Purple and Gold, who have now won four of their last five contests.
The Thunder, who entered the game with the league’s best record, lost back-to-back games for only the second time this season.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 26 points and Jalen Williams had 16 for Oklahoma City, which remains two games ahead of Cleveland in the race for the NBA’s best overall record with five games left.
The visitors set the tone immediately, scoring 42 points in the first quarter and building a 10-point cushion.
Los Angeles took full control in the second quarter, outscoring the Thunder 36-24 and making a franchise-record 15 three-pointers in the first half alone.
Doncic ignited the crowd with a no-look, behind-the-head assist to Gabe Vincent, who buried a corner three to extend the lead to 64-42.
The Lakers went into the break up 78-56, marking the most points Oklahoma City has allowed in a half all season.
In a symbolic finish, Bronny James hit a corner three in the final minute to close the scoring.
The Thunder’s team defense was frequently compromised by the Lakers’ shotmaking, particularly from deep where Los Angeles finished 22-for-40 (55 percent).
The Lakers also shot 54.8 percent from the field overall and dominated the glass with a 43-34 rebounding edge, including 17 team rebounds.
Dorian Finney-Smith added 14 points off the bench, making four of five from three-point range and finishing with a game-high plus-28 in 29 minutes.
Gilgeous-Alexander dished out nine assists for Oklahoma City but struggled to keep pace with Los Angeles’ offensive rhythm, as the Thunder shot just 43.3 percent overall.
Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein combined for 18 points and 9 rebounds in the frontcourt, while Luguentz Dort finished with nine points on 3-of-8 shooting.
The teams will meet again Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
