Lakers Drop Close Game To Thunder To End Emirates NBA Cup Run

After splitting their way back to back, the Los Angeles Lakers returned home and hosted the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night in their final group stage game of the Emirates NBA Cup.

Considering they were blown out by the Phoenix Suns in their final group stage game, this was a must-win for the Lakers if they wanted any chance of advancing to the knockout stages. However, the Thunder have been one of the best teams in the league this season and they showed it, holding on for a 101-93 victory in what was a defensive battle.

LeBron James started the night with a sweet pass to Austin Reaves for a triple. The Thunder immediately responded with a 13-2 run, but took an early lead. They continued to attack the basket and forced JJ Redick to call timeout with the Lakers trailing 18-8.

The Lakers had a nice response out of the timeout, though, as Anthony Davis had back-to-back buckets and then a block, setting up a corner 3-pointer by Dalton Knecht.

Unfortunately, LA had another layup to end the quarter, allowing the Thunder to take a 32-24 lead into the second.

It appeared to be an inning run early as the Lakers began the second by scoring seven straight points to keep it close with D’Angelo Russell leading the way.

Reaves was badly fouled on a drive to the basket and fell hard. However, he was able to stay in the game and made both free throws before eventually exiting and heading back to the locker room.

After Reaves went out, though, the Lakers locked down defensively, allowing James to get out in transition with both him and Davis attacking the basket to regain the lead. It was short-lived, however, as the Thunder ended the half with back-to-back triples to take a 51-48 lead into the locker room.

Reaves didn’t come out in the third quarter, so Russell started in his place and made a triple to answer a pair of deep shots by the Thunder. Knecht then had a triple and massive poster dunk that tied the game at 62.

Reaves was eventually able to return to the game, which was great to see for the Lakers. However, neither team was able to get much going offensively in the third quarter. It was the Thunder again who closed the frame strong with five straight points to take a 71-69 lead.

It didn’t take long for the Lakers to momentarily regain the lead in the fourth, and again it was because of a pair of Russell triples. Russell also did a good job on the glass for LA

Back and forth they went, though, as the Thunder had another immediate response with a 6-0 run to force a Lakers timeout.

Knecht hit a pair of triples to keep things close, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander also got going offensively for her team.

With the Lakers trailing 92-89 in the final minutes, Reaves scored inside and was fouled. However, he missed the free throw, and then Gilgeous-Alexander hit another 3.

Max Christie was in the closing lineup and scored to get the Lakers back within two. However, he made a costly mistake as Gilgeous-Alexander made both to go back to within two possessions. After a Lakers turnover, the Thunder closed the game with a dunk.

What’s next for the Lakers

The Lakers won’t go back on the road to take on the Utah Jazz on Sunday night, the start of another back-to-back, playing the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday.

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