This matchup against Oklahoma City was seen as a measuring stick game for the Los Angeles Lakers, a chance to see if they could truly compete with the league’s best.
But honestly, anyone who’s been watching the Lakers from Game 1 to this morning (CAT) would agree their recent form has been disappointing. Yes, they faced the hottest and youngest team in the league, the oldest Thunder player being just 31-year-old Alex Caruso — but losing 121–92 on the road showed just how far the Lakers are from OKC’s level right now.
One of my favourite basketball voices on X (formerly Twitter) once said she’d only start watching the Lakers again in December, and now I get it. This team can really test your patience.
Even Luka Dončić had a rough outing by his standards:
33 minutes, 19 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, 4 turnovers, 3 fouls, shooting 7/20 FG, 1/7 3PT, and a -31 plus-minus.
Austin Reaves also struggled, highlighting how dominant OKC was:
30 minutes, 13 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 5 turnovers, 3 fouls, 4/12 FG, 0/5 3PT, 5/6 FT, and a -24 rating.
To wrap it up, the Lakers have a long way to go. This loss shouldn’t define their season, but it definitely showed how much work they need before being mentioned in the same breath as the Thunder.