Lakers handed one of heaviest defeats by Thunder and hit by Doncic injury

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Los Angeles Lakers absorbed their most lopsided loss of the season and may have lost Luka Doncic for an extended stretch, falling 139-96 to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night at Paycom Center.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander poured in 28 points to pace a balanced Thunder attack that has now won 16 of its last 17 games, while the Lakers saw a four-game winning streak evaporate amid a 43-point rout and a sobering injury scare.

Doncic, who entered the night averaging 40-plus points over his previous three outings, missed his first four shots and never found rhythm, finishing with 12 points on 3-of-10 shooting. The low point came early in the third quarter when the star guard elevated for a mid-range jumper, landed awkwardly and immediately clutched his left hamstring before crumpling to the hardwood. A frustrated Doncic limped off the court and did not return.

Coach JJ Redick said post-game that Doncic will undergo an MRI on Friday to determine the severity of the strain.

The outcome was never in doubt. Oklahoma City stormed ahead by double digits less than four minutes in and never let the margin dip below nine the rest of the way. The Thunder led 70-38 at halftime — the second time this season they have built a 30-point cushion against the Lakers before the break.

Luguentz Dort set the tone on both ends, drilling four first-quarter triples and adding two steals to finish the period with 14 points. He limited Doncic to one of his quietest nights of the season before exiting late in the third with an apparent leg injury following a hard fall.

Jalen Williams flirted with a triple-double, posting 10 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, while Isaiah Joe provided a second-half spark with 17 of his 20 points after intermission.

The 139 points allowed were a season-worst for Los Angeles, eclipsing the previous mark set in an earlier blowout loss to these same Thunder on November 12. The 43-point margin matched the Lakers’ largest defeat since a 44-point setback to Philadelphia in November 2023.

Oklahoma City improved to 61-16, strengthening its grip on the Western Conference summit, while the Lakers dropped to 50-27.