The Los Angeles Lakers appeared to get some rest on Monday when they faced the Oklahoma City Thunder without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. But the Thunder’s defense, considered one of the best in recent years, remains intact, which has confounded the Lakers at times.
Los Angeles had issues protecting the basketball, especially in the second and fourth quarters, and ultimately lost 119-110. Sure, there’s no Luka Doncic, but it can’t match Oklahoma City’s physicality and overall toughness.
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LeBron James was then asked about the gap between Los Angeles and Oklahoma City, and he gave a succinct but clear answer.
“You want me to compare us to them? That’s a championship team. We’re not,” James told reporters. “We couldn’t sustain the energy and effort for 48 minutes, but they could. That’s why they won the championship.”
This loss gave the Lakers a record of 32 wins and 20 losses, ranking fifth in the Western Conference. The defending NBA champion Thunder continue to maintain the league’s best record with a record of 41 wins and 13 losses.
The Lakers continue to be plagued by uneven performances throughout the game, ongoing droughts on offense and defense, and injuries to key players. Doncic missed his second straight game with a hamstring strain, which extended his 20th straight game on Thursday just one game after Austin Reeves returned from a strained gastrocnemius muscle.
Time is running out to get started if they are to move forward and prepare for an extended playoff run.
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This article originally appeared on LeBron Wired: LeBron James gives Lakers reality check after loss to Thunder