Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered 42 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 136-120 on Tuesday night to move a step closer to clinching the NBA’s best record.
The Thunder improved to 65-14 on the season and now lead the Cleveland Cavaliers by two games with three left to play.
Oklahoma City also set a new franchise record for wins in a single season, surpassing the 1995-96 Seattle SuperSonics, who finished 64-18.
Luka Doncic scored 23 points for Los Angeles before being ejected early in the fourth quarter after picking up his second technical foul for trash talking courtside OKC fan.
The Purple and Gold trailed just 107-108 at the time of Doncic’s ejection, but were outscored 29-12 the rest of the way.
Jalen Williams added 26 points for the Thunder, who rebounded from a 27-point loss to Los Angeles on Sunday night.
LeBron James led the Lakers with 28 points on 8-for-19 shooting and also grabbed seven rebounds.
Austin Reaves contributed 24 points, hitting four of seven from beyond the arc, and added five assists.
The Thunder controlled the first half with efficient scoring, taking an 80-72 lead at the break while shooting 64.7% from the floor.
The Lakers closed the gap in the third quarter as Doncic buried a deep three to give Los Angeles an 88-86 edge.
The visitors entered the fourth with a 98-97 lead before Oklahoma City took over down the stretch.
Gilgeous-Alexander knocked down a step-back three to make it 117-112 midway through the final frame, triggering a 19-8 finishing run.
The All-Star guard finished 14-of-26 from the field and 5-of-9 from deep while adding six assists and six rebounds.
Oklahoma City’s defense also tightened in the fourth quarter, holding Los Angeles to 22 points in the period.
Luguentz Dort scored 17 points, including five three-pointers, while Chet Holmgren added 14 points, four rebounds, and two blocks.
Isaiah Hartenstein posted a double-double with eight points and 15 rebounds as the Thunder dominated the glass 44-45.
Mark Daigneault’s squad shot 50% from the field and assisted on 26 of their 52 made baskets.
Doncic’s night ended after arguing a no-call early in the fourth, marking his league-leading 18th technical foul of the season.
The Lakers had difficulty adjusting after the ejection, turning the ball over six times in the final period.
Jarred Vanderbilt recorded eight points and 12 rebounds off the bench, while Dorian Finney-Smith scored 12 points on 4-for-8 shooting from long range.
Los Angeles, now 48-31, remains third in the Western Conference but sits just one game ahead of a four-way tie for fourth place.
The Lakers face the Mavericks on Wednesday in what will be Doncic’s first meeting with his former team in Dallas since being traded for Anthony Davis in February.
Oklahoma City, which has won eight of its last ten, can secure homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs with one more victory or a Cleveland loss.
