LOS ANGELES : Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 25 points in just 28 minutes as the Oklahoma City Thunder cruised to a 123-87 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, completing a dominant two-game sweep in five days.
Oklahoma City (63-16) extended their winning streak to six games and recorded their 18th win in 19 outings, moving within one victory — or one San Antonio Spurs loss — of clinching the Western Conference’s top seed for a third straight season.
The Lakers (50-29), missing Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and LeBron James, stayed competitive into the second quarter and briefly erased an early seven-point deficit to level the score.
However, the Thunder seized control with a decisive 23-5 run over the final 7:16 of the first half, capitalizing on Los Angeles’ shooting struggles as the hosts managed just 33.3% from the field in the second quarter.
Gilgeous-Alexander set the tone early, hitting four of his first five shots while tallying 11 points and five assists in the opening quarter. By early in the third, the outcome was effectively settled.
He came close to extending his NBA record streak of 20-point games, knocking down a three-pointer midway through the third quarter to push the lead to 27 before finishing with a flurry of consecutive baskets.
The All-Star guard exited late in the third period, marking the 25th time this season he has not played in the fourth quarter. He finished 10-of-15 from the field with eight assists and two steals.
Chet Holmgren added 15 points and 10 rebounds for Oklahoma City, while Isaiah Joe scored 18 points off the bench, going 6-of-9 from three-point range. Jared McCain chipped in 15 points, and has been part of a second unit that continues to provide a scoring boost.
The Lakers dropped their third straight game and slipped behind the Denver Nuggets in the race for the Western Conference’s third seed.
Rui Hachimura led Los Angeles with 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting, with no other player scoring more than 11.
