The Los Angeles Times reports: Anthony Davis contributed 24 points and 12 rebounds in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 116-104 triumph over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night. D’Angelo Russell tallied 26 points on five 3-pointers.
The Lakers’ tenth victory in fourteen games featured 19 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists from LeBron James. Austin Reaves contributed 16 points and four three-pointers for the Lakers, who captured the season series against the Western Conference-leading Thunder after defeating them for the third consecutive time.
James came close to recording a triple-double in his first game back since tallied his record 40,000th career point in a loss to Denver, but the Lakers’ substantial lead forced him to miss the final six minutes. Davis was able to miss the entirety of the fourth quarter as the Lakers opened the game up 25 points with six consecutive three-pointers made in his absence.
With increasing fervor, Russell capped the Lakers’ decisive rally by making three-pointers on three consecutive possessions. When his third 3-pointer with 9:06 remaining and the Lakers up 103-79 (due to uncalled defensive contact that left him prostrate on his back), he received a standing ovation from the Lakers’ crowd.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander concluded his eight-game streak of scoring 30 points with 20 points for the Thunder, who suffered their second loss in nine contests. Each Chet Holmgren and Lu Dort contributed 15 points.
Ahead of Sunday’s arduous victory in Phoenix, Oklahoma City attempted a season-low 30.6% of its shots in the first half while playing on potentially fatigued legs during the third stop of a four-game road trip.
Both teams exhibited subpar performance during the initial half. Despite committing 12 turnovers, the Thunder fell into a 2-for-21 shooting slump that allowed the Lakers to gain a double-digit advantage after an early 12-point lead.
Jaylin Williams, big man for Oklahoma City, was sidelined for two consecutive contests due to a dislocated left knee.
Harry Giles III entered the game for the Lakers in the dying minutes.