Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots as Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis, right, defends during the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
LOS ANGELES — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 36 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter, and the Oklahoma City Thunder held on for a 101-93 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in an NBA Cup game on Friday night.
It is the fifth time in the past six games Gilgeous-Alexander has scored at least 30 points. Jalen Williams added 19 points as the Thunder won their fourth straight.
Article continues after this advertisementDalton Knecht scored 20 points, including five 3-pointers for the Lakers, who have dropped four of their last five. D’Angelo Russell had 17 points off the bench.
FEATURED STORIES SPORTS Aaron Black returns and sparks Meralco’s come-from-behind victory over Phoenix SPORTS Upsets unlikely in Final 4 but UST, Adamson will try anyway SPORTS LIVE: UAAP Season 87 basketball Final Four November 30 READ: Thunder face Lakers in NBA Cup, eye perfect road tripJDUB seals the DUB. @okcthunder (2-1) keep their #EmiratesNBACup hopes alive ⛈️🏆 https://t.co/9pAzWNCEOO pic.twitter.com/wEm6ZkUtvx
— NBA (@NBA) November 30, 2024
With the loss, Los Angeles can not advance to the quarterfinals after winning the inaugural NBA Cup tournament last year.
Article continues after this advertisementPhoenix, San Antonio and Oklahoma City are all 2-1 in West Group B while the Lakers are 2-2.
Article continues after this advertisementThe Lakers drew within one point before Gilgeous-Alexander hit a 3-pointer with 1:35 remaining to put the Thunder up 95-91.
Article continues after this advertisement TakeawaysThunder: Isaiah Hartenstein scored 11 points and pulled down a season-high 18 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season.
Lakers: Anthony Davis had 15 points and 12 rebounds and LeBron James scored 12.
Article continues after this advertisement READ: NBA: Lakers back into win column with win over Wembanyama, Spurs Key momentThe Lakers still had a chance to come back, down four with 22.4 seconds remaining, but Austin Reaves made a bad pass, which was stolen by Williams and led to an easy dunk to give Oklahoma City a 99-93 advantage.
Key statThe Lakers committed four of their 17 turnovers in the fourth quarter. … Oklahoma City tied a season high with 15 offensive rebounds.
Up nextThe Thunder are at Houston on Sunday while the Lakers are at Utah on Sunday.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter