Consider this as a warning: the Lakers just beat the best NBA team and the game was not even close.
Los Angeles dominated jump and ahead of OKC every quarter, which led to a victory on the road. The Lakers were heated in red, equaling a franchise record with 22 made at 3 points.
So let’s dive into victory. As always, the notes are based on the expectations of each player. A note “B” represents the average performance of this player.
LeBron James
34 minutes, 19 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 flight, 9-16 FG, 1-1 3pt, +7
The fact that LeBron had a boring game, but the Lakers have dominated, is a very good sign. LeBron collected 19 points and his best highlight was a fastbreak slam during the second half.
Beyond that, he did not have to do much while Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves dominated offensively.
Grade: B
Rui Hachimura
32 minutes, 11 points, 7 rebounds, 1 aists, 1 block, 4-10 FG, 2-6 3pt, 1-1 ft, +8
Hachimura returned after missing a match due to the patellar tendinopathy that left and was solid. He did an excellent job on the boards, but he was a little ineffective 4-10 on the ground. The Lakers fired Deep well, but Rui was not part of it, going 2-6 from the 3-point beach.
Overall, not a bad game, but we have seen him better.
Grade: B-
Jaxson Hayes
13 minutes, 7 points, 5 rebounds, 3-4 FG, 1-4 ft, +10
This game started with a Dunk Hayes, an early indicator that he was ready from Sunday. He cleaned the glass and during one of the rare moments, OKC showed signs of life, Hayes responded with an emphatic dunk in traffic.
Hayes has still not played a lot, but he was importing. As long as it continues to play at this level, it will be a positive and key element of rotation in the rest of the path.
Grade: B-
Austin Reaves
34 minutes, 20 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 flight, 1 block, 7-15 FG, 4-8 3 pt, 2-2 ft, +14
It was your big game typical of Reaves. He was driving inside and scored, pulling 50% of the 3 -point range, helping to bury the Thunder. Reaves does not have a ceiling at this stage and fans of Lakers should be delighted to see what he does in the playoffs.
Grade: B-
Luka Dončić
38 minutes, 30 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 interceptions, 11-20 FG, 5-11 3pt, 3-4 pi, +18
Luka was a threat in the first half. He intimidated the defenders of the Thunder and marked in the painting or drilled at 3 points. Add some dazzling passes and Luka collected 22 points and five assists at halftime. It gave the Lakers a 22 -point cushion and they never looked back.
Last year, Luka was part of the Dallas Mavericks team that eliminated Oklahoma City Thunder. He might have the chance to start again this season, but this time, with the Lakers.
Grade: a-
Dorian Finney-Smith
30 minutes, 14 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 4-5 FG, 4-5 3pt, 2-2 ft, +28
Given how much he played, it was an almost perfect performance of DFS. He went 4-5 from the range of 3 points, was aggressive defensively and had the best more than the team at +28.
When he plays well and the three tall people in the Lakers arise, defeat Los Angeles is almost impossible.
Grade: A +
Gabe Vincent
27 minutes, 12 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 4-7 FG, 4-7 3pt, +28
DFS and Vincent have very good jobs. Offensively, they simply take 3 points, and when they do them, it destroys the other side.
Vincent is the biggest player in Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde des Lakers, but on Sunday, only the doctor arrived in OKC.
He fired from the field, corresponding to the four three of DFS, making it a very good offensive game for the reserves.
Grade: A +
Jarred Vanderbilt
15 minutes, 3 points, 2 rebounds, 1 help, 2 flights, 0-1 FG, 3-4 FT, +4
Before he was underpinned in the match, Vando looked amplified. He jumped from top to bottom near the marker’s table, ready to contribute.
Vando did exactly that, buzzing like a bee everywhere on the field, waving the Thunder players while they were trying to find an offensive rhythm. OKC has bombarded her a few times, the encouragement near the edge and Vando scored these points.
Overall, it was one of his best games, and it will probably be the role he plays in the playoffs.
Grade: B-
Jordan Goodwin, Dalton Knecht, Bonny James, Christian Koloko
None of these players have succeeded in more than 10 minutes, so they will get a note. Goodwin was near nine minutes and played well, but his role has shrunk with Vincent obtaining an additional quarter of work.
JJ Redick
The Lakers won their best victory of the year in the best NBA team. I have no choice but to give Redick a very high quality. The players intensified themselves, he used his challenges well and I like that he gives Vincent and DFS more time while they were hot of deep.
It will be interesting to see how the Lakers and Thunder play in the revenge match on Tuesday, but Sunday, the Los Angeles Lakers were by far the best team.
Grade: a
Sunday DNPS: Alex Len, Markieff Morris
Sunday inactive: Maxi Kleber, Trey Jemison III
You can follow Edwin on Twitter in @ Ecreates88 or on Bluesky at @ ecreates88.bsky.social.
