Lakers vs. Thunder Final Score: NBA Cup dreams end for Lakers

The Lakers will not go back-to-back in the NBA Cup. In a must-win game against the Thunder to keep alive their hopes of moving out of the group, the Lakers were undone by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and mistakes down the stretch as they fell to OKC, 101-93.

D’Angelo Russell had one of his best games of the season with 17 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals. Dalton Knecht led the team in scoring with 20 points with four assists.

Anthony Davis finished with 15 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and four blocks. LeBron James scored 12 points with eight rebounds and six assists.

Rui Hachimura chipped in with eight points and five rebounds. Austin Reaves scored 11 points with five rebounds and three assists.

Thanksgivingitis had a grip on the Lakers, who came out flat and couldn’t defend a red-hot Thunder team. The Lakers were down by 10, forcing a timeout to regroup. Four straight points by AD along with a 3-pointer by Dalton made it a five-point game.

Every Laker who entered the game in the opening quarter scored. OKC withstood LA’s sudden scoring onslaught and was up eight at the end of the first.

Three different Lakers scored to open the second quarter to make it a one-point game. Los Angeles’ offense was going much better. The Thunder started missing shots they made in the first period.

OKC started to heat up and went up by four with seven minutes left in the break. The Thunder began to suffocate the Lakers with their defense, giving LA problems offensively. The hosts were in a four-minute scoring drought before Austin made a layup to make it a two-point game.

It was a tied game after Gabe Vincent knocked down a mid-range shot. Both teams kicked up their energy and defense. Austin took a nasty fall while being taken down and eventually went to the locker room with two minutes left before the break.

Consecutive layups by LeBron and AD, with AD being beaten and completing an and one, put the Lakers up by two. LA had a breakdown defensively, leading to a 3-pointer by Kenrich Williams that put the Thunder up three at halftime.

The Thunder opened the second half and extended their lead to nine as the Lakers struggled to defend them. A mid-range shot by Rui and two 3-pointers by D’Lo and Dalton made it a one-point game. A massive block by AD led to a two-handed dunk with authority in transition to Dalton.

AD was then fouled and converted both free throws to put the team up by two. After spending part of the quarter in the locker room, Austin returned to the game.

At half-time, the game was tied. The Lakers were in a scoring drought with the game still tied until Dalton moved the purple and gold ahead on a 3-pointer.

The defense played a major factor in it being such a close affair. In the bottom of the third, Aaron Wiggins put OKC up two.

A three by D’Lo made it a one-point game to start the final frame. D’Lo then set up the Lakers as he began to warm up. It was a tough game and the Thunder knocked down two threes to give them a five point lead.

With 5:43 left, Max Christie converted on both free throws to cut the deficit to three. The Thunder kept extending their lead as soon as LA would catch fire. Dalton knocked down two threes, but it was a five-point game.

Austin was fouled and made two free throws to make it a three-point game. He made it a one-point game with a free throw. SGA gave the Thunder a four-point lead with a 3-pointer. Max responded with a midrange shot with 28 seconds left.

Shai converted on two free throws to extend the lead to four with 22 seconds remaining. Turnovers bit the Lakers in the back, leading to two more points for the Thunder and securing the win.

Key takeaways:

STOP TURNING THE BALL!!!

The Lakers have a never-ending problem forcing 3-pointers. They force them when they don’t need them. Find better shots When you’re not known as a team that shoots lights out from behind the arc, find a better shot. Unless, of course, you’re Dalton, go ahead and take the threes!

The balanced attacking scoring has been a nice sudden development for this team. This means they find their offensive strengths. When fighting defensively, countering it with improved offense helps.

While his 3-pointers have been in a massive slump, Gabe looks more confident when taking mid-range shots or shooting layups. It might benefit him more if he continues to take those shots to build his offensive confidence.

The Lakers’ next game will be Sunday against the Utah Jazz at 5 p.m. PT.

You can follow Karin on Twitter at @KarinAbcarians.