Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dropped 42 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder overpowered the Los Angeles Lakers, 136-120, at home on Tuesday night. The win not only snapped a rare two-game skid for OKC but also marked a historic milestone — their 65th victory of the season, a new franchise record.
The Thunder’s surge came shortly after Lakers star Luka Doncic was ejected early in the fourth quarter. Doncic received his second technical foul after an exchange with a courtside fan, leaving the court with 23 points and five assists.
Before the ejection, Doncic had just given the Lakers a 108-107 lead. However, his exit shifted momentum dramatically. The Thunder responded with a 13-4 run, fueled by three-pointers from Gilgeous-Alexander and Alex Caruso, and a three-point play by Jalen Williams.
Gilgeous-Alexander finished with six rebounds, six assists, and only one turnover. He also went 9-of-11 from the free-throw line — a stark contrast to Sunday’s loss, where he didn’t take a single foul shot.
Jalen Williams added 26 points for Oklahoma City.
Despite another explosive first half, where the Lakers hit 15 threes to tie a franchise record, they faltered in the second. L.A. managed just 3-of-14 from deep in the final two quarters, missing all four of their fourth-quarter attempts.
LeBron James led the Lakers with 28 points, while Austin Reaves contributed 24.
The win strengthens the Thunder’s position atop the Western Conference, showcasing their resilience and depth heading into the final stretch of the regular season.