Apr 6, 2025; Oklahoma Metropolis, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder ahead Dillon Jones (3) and Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) combat for a unfastened ball through the second half at Paycom Middle. Obligatory Credit score: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Photos The Los Angeles Lakers confirmed simply how harmful their Huge Three could be in Sunday’s street win over the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, the staff with the NBA’s greatest report.
The Lakers (48-30) can reinforce that impression Tuesday after they run it again in opposition to the host Thunder.
“All three of these guys that we’ve got are elite offensive gamers,” Lakers coach JJ Redick mentioned of Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves. “You’ll be able to strive your greatest night-to-night to determine the place the weak factors are and the place you may create a bonus.”
In Sunday’s 126-99 win, Doncic and Reaves mixed for 9 of Los Angeles’ season-high 22 3-pointers.
“With the including of Luka and the subtract of (Anthony Davis), their assault turns into extra perimeter and fewer inside,” Oklahoma Metropolis guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander mentioned.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault mentioned there is a balancing act in not placing an excessive amount of inventory into the earlier matchup whereas additionally attempting to study one thing from it.
Oklahoma Metropolis (64-14) clinched the highest seed within the Western Convention practically three weeks in the past and, although it gained its subsequent seven video games after clinching to increase its successful streak to 11, the Thunder now have dropped back-to-back video games for the second time this season.
“When you depart somebody alone within the gymnasium, they often do not shoot that effectively from 3,” Daigneault mentioned. “So there is a shot-making ingredient. However I additionally assume there is a focus ingredient that we had been missing within the sport.”
A number of Thunder gamers have mentioned just lately they had been combating in opposition to human nature to stop a lull heading into the postseason.
“To not make it an excuse, however whether or not we win or lose, our standing will not change, so naturally, it should slip in,” Gilgeous-Alexander mentioned. “The problem for each staff is totally different, and the problem is for us to be sure that we keep centered and proceed to play with that sense of urgency.”
Jalen Williams mentioned the Thunder simply have to preserve doing what they’ve finished all season and never overreact to the final two video games.
“I do not assume it is misplaced,” Williams mentioned. “I do not find out about ‘discover it once more.’ It is not misplaced. Suppose it is simply extra attempting to determine what we need to do and never panic.”
With another win, the Thunder would set the single-season franchise report for victories — surpassing the 1995-96 staff that went 64-18 when the franchise was in Seattle.
Whereas the Thunder can sit up for the postseason, Los Angeles nonetheless has lots to play for within the common season.
The Lakers come into the sport in third place within the Western Convention, 3 1/2 video games behind Houston for second and 1 1/2 video games forward of Denver for third with 4 video games remaining. They will end as excessive as second and as little as eighth.
Doncic mentioned the playoff-like setting in Oklahoma Metropolis mixed with the aggressive race within the Western Convention helped sharpen his focus.
“It is very robust to play right here,” Doncic mentioned. “It is very robust to win, however wanting on the standings as we speak, it is loopy within the West. It brings the aggressive spirit out of me.”
Tuesday’s sport is the primary of a back-to-back for the Lakers, who’ll play Wednesday at Dallas in Doncic’s first sport there since being traded to the Lakers for Davis on Feb. 2.
–Subject Stage Media
