Role players step up to lead Lakers over Thunder 123-117

The Lakers needed to have a great game from someone on the team other than Anthony Davis, LeBron James or D’Angelo Russell. The reason for that was because neither one of those three players were available or active tonight to face the Thunder. Nonetheless the Lakers won for the fourth time in five games. Positive contributions came from the entire lineup that saw major minutes including Dennis Schroder that led the way with 26 points, and Troy Brown Jr. made four three-pointers ending the night with 19 points. Austin Reaves came off the bench, but was a perfect five for five from the field and making 19 points. The Lakers coaching staff was very pleased that 3 other players ended the night with double figures, Mo Bamba (12 points), Malik Beasley (11 points), and Lonnie Walker IV (13 points).

The Lakers are hopeful to get D’Angelo Russell back soon, who sat on Wednesday night due to a sprained right ankle. Anthony Davis will also be evaluated on Thursday and is listed as questionable for Friday’s matchup against the Timberwolves in Los Angeles. Lakers will have to stay healthy and play collectively as a unit in the next few months to climb the standings and hope for some help to try and secure a 6th seed. If the play-in tournament is a realistic destination, then Lakers will need LeBron James to return to this lineup to become the dynamic lineup that the NBA saw prior to his injury.

OKC Thunder were led by youngsters Josh Giddey (22 points), Lu Dort (19 points), and rookie Jalen Williams (24 points). Thunder struggled from the three-point line shooting 27.5% with 13 turnovers. The Thunder hung in all game, but ultimately they were outplayed down the stretch. Oklahoma City Thunder coach, Mark Daigneault, stated “For the most part, I thought we played really hard for much of the game. Bounced back a couple of times, like, weathered a couple of runs and just kind of kept ourselves in it. Playing from behind like that down the stretch is tough to evaluate, but I was just impressed by the competitive level of the team tonight.” Lakers host Timberwolves on Friday in Los Angeles, and Thunder will host the Utah Jazz on Friday in Oklahoma City.