Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30 points and handed out nine assists in just three quarters as the Oklahoma City Thunder dominated the Los Angeles Lakers 121-92 on Wednesday at Paycom Center. Isaiah Joe added 21 points to help the Thunder improve to a league-best 12-1.
Oklahoma City held Luka Doncic to 19 points on 7-for-20 shooting, well below his 37.1 points per game average. Austin Reaves also struggled, scoring 13 points on 4-of-12 shooting, while the Lakers shot 40.3% overall.
The Thunder took control early, leading 30-18 after the first quarter and holding Los Angeles scoreless for nearly eight minutes to start the second. By halftime, Oklahoma City had extended its advantage to 70-38, putting the game out of reach.
Despite Lu Dort missing with an upper right trapezius strain, the Thunder effectively shut down the Lakers’ offense. Gilgeous-Alexander’s late third-quarter behind-the-back assist to Joe gave Oklahoma City a 100-64 lead heading into the fourth.
The Lakers played without LeBron James, who practiced for the first time this season but did not suit up. Oklahoma City, meanwhile, recorded its second blowout of a top Western Conference rival in two nights after beating Golden State 126-102 on Tuesday.
OKC shot 50% from the field, including 30.8% from three-point range, and made 21 of 23 free throws. Los Angeles could not keep pace, with their combined shooting woes and missing star power contributing to the 29-point loss.
The Thunder will visit the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday, while the Lakers travel to face the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday.
