By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
The highly anticipated Luka Doncic vs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander matchup took center stage as the Los Angeles Lakers faced the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center. In the end, it was the Lakers who grabbed a big win.
Led by the Slovenian star, Lakers earned an important and convincing 126–99 victory on the road.
Doncic dazzled with 30 points, seven rebounds, and six assists on 11-of-20 shooting from the field. Austin Reaves followed with 20 points, while LeBron James added 19 and seven assists.
“Whole team was inspired because Real Madrid won El Clasico basketball today“, said Doncic after the game jokingly, adding that this was just about him.
On the other side, MVP candidate Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 26 points, nine assists, and six rebounds but lacked the necessary support from his teammates. Lakers held Shai to first game without free throws this season, and lowest +/- in a match.
German big man Isaiah Hartenstein added eight points and six rebounds.
Thanks to this result the Lakers climbed to the 3rd spot of the West with a 48-30 record, while OKC remains on top at 62-15.