Thunder cruise past depleted Lakers

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Isaiah Joe lead Oklahoma City to easy win

Apr. 8, 2026 at 5:23pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game, with players and the court broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color, capturing the dynamic energy of the sport.The Thunder's decisive victory over the short-handed Lakers showcases their potential as a rising playoff contender in the West.Los Angeles Today

The Oklahoma City Thunder cruised to a 123-87 victory over the injury-riddled Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way for the Thunder with 25 points and 8 assists, while Isaiah Joe hit 6 three-pointers off the bench. The Lakers were without several key players due to injuries, making it an easy win for the visiting Thunder.

Why it matters

This game highlighted the growing gap between the playoff-contending Thunder and the struggling Lakers, who have been plagued by injuries all season. The win keeps Oklahoma City in the hunt for a postseason berth, while the Lakers' playoff hopes continue to fade.

The details

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander paced the Thunder with 25 points and 8 assists, while Isaiah Joe came off the bench to drain 6 three-pointers. Chet Holmgren added a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. The Lakers were missing several starters, including LeBron James and Anthony Davis, due to various injuries, making it difficult for them to keep up with the Thunder's offensive firepower.

  • The game was played on Tuesday, April 8, 2026.

The players

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

A 24-year-old point guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder who is having an All-Star caliber season.

Isaiah Joe

A 23-year-old shooting guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder who provided a scoring spark off the bench.

Chet Holmgren

A 20-year-old rookie forward for the Oklahoma City Thunder who recorded a double-double in the win.

LeBron James

A 41-year-old superstar forward for the Los Angeles Lakers who missed the game due to injury.

Anthony Davis

A 33-year-old star big man for the Los Angeles Lakers who was also sidelined by injury.

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What they’re saying

“We came out with a lot of energy and really took it to them from the start. The guys did a great job executing the game plan.”

— Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder point guard

The takeaway

The Thunder's dominant win over the injury-plagued Lakers showcases their potential to make a playoff push, while the Lakers' continued struggles highlight the challenges they face in returning to contention this season.