FSM Essential Recap: Lakers vs Thunder - Game 74 - 2023

FSM Essential Recap: Lakers vs Thunder – Game 74 – 2023

Franchise Sports Media

Los Angeles Lakers (37-37) | Oklahoma City Thunder (36-38)

 

The Los Angeles Lakers are now on a three-game winning streak after toppling the Oklahoma City Thunder 116-111

The Lakers vs Thunder took place in Los Angeles Friday night. 

Riding a dominant performance from Anthony Davis (37 points and 15 rebounds), the Los Angeles Lakers improved to .500 for the first time this season and are now tied for the number seven seed in the Western Conference with the Minnesota Timberwolves. They also locked up the tiebreaker with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

“The first order of business is to take care of our own business,” Darvin Ham said. “We need to keep having these performances on both sides of the ball for a full 48 minutes.”

Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell did not play against the Thunder because of a sore hip. He’ll be day-to-day moving forward. Dennis Schroder took Russell’s spot in the starting lineup and produced 21 points (8-for-14 FGs, 2-for-4 3s, 3-for-4 FTs), three rebounds, six assists, and two steals.

“He lives and thrives for those moments,” Ham said of Schroder, who made some big plays in the fourth quarter. Schroder scored six points in the final 3:18 while the Lakers hung on. 

It was time for the Lakers vs Thunder.

It was also a strong performance from Lonnie Walker IV, who called in for duty with Russell sitting and another guard needed. Walker finished the contest with 20 points (7-for-12 FGs, 4-for-8 3s, 2-for-4 FTs), four rebounds, and three steals.

The Lakers vs Thunder start if the first half.

“Being positive. Understanding what we’re trying to accomplish and just staying ready,” Walker said on being in and out of the rotation. “My teammates have made me not being able to play much easier. I love these guys, and I’m happy to be playing with them. Just taking it day to day. I’m 24 years old, I’m only growing, and the best is yet to come.”

“I would be remised if I didn’t mention Lonnie Walker,” Ham said. ”He’s the definition of what a pro is supposed to do at this level. He didn’t have to worry about getting ready. He’s been staying ready. We don’t win that game without him.”

“He gave me my flowers for being ready and understanding that it’s not easy, and that’s something that I’m going to take to heart,” Walker said on what Davis told him after the game.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey scored 27 points apiece for Oklahoma City. With this loss, the Thunder dropped into a tie with the Dallas Mavericks for 10th in the West despite holding the Lakers to only 42 points in the second half after Los Angeles put up 41 in the first quarter alone.

A dominant start from Davis on the inside was just what the Lakers had hoped for, as he started with a bunch of dunks, leading to Los Angeles’ highest-scoring first quarter of the season, as they took a 41-25 lead. Davis led the way with 15 points.

Yet another poor close to a quarter was costly, as Los Angeles gave up a 7-0 run in the final 40 seconds of the third, with a missed layup and a missed three on the other end. The Thunder were only down 93-92.

The Lakers vs Thunder end of the first half.

Davis nailed a huge jumper to extend the Lakers’ lead to three, 105-102, with 4:34 left. Los Angeles struggled to get him the ball against a scrambling Thunder defense, but he delivered when he got it.

The Lakers vs Thunder start of the second half.

Oklahoma City erased all of Los Angeles’ early 17-point lead when Gilgeous-Alexander’s jumper tied it. Davis responded with three points, and Walker hit a tie-breaking shot with 3:50 left.

“It was a must-win game for us,” said Davis. “We had to come out and get this game, and we came out offensive and defensively just playing extremely well. We’ve got to .500, and now it’s time to get on the other side.”

Update on LeBron James:

While there is no timeline for a return to game action, there’s increasing optimism that James could return to play “a few” games in the final week of the regular season, sources told ESPN. James has been out since suffering a right foot tendon injury on February 26th.

The Lakers vs Thunder final score was 116-111, Los Angeles.

The Lakers now take on the Chicago Bulls Sunday, March 26th, at 12:30 p.m. PT. The game is on NBA League Pass, NBC Sports Chicago, and Spectrum SportsNet.

 

– Jake Ideguchi-Furukawa – Franchise Sports Media

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