OKLAHOMA City Thunder took advantage of the ejection of Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic to pull away with a 136-120 victory in the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season on Tuesday night (Wednesday in the Philippines) at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
With the Lakers holding to a 108-107 lead with seven minutes left in the game, Doncic was whistled for consecutive technical fouls, leading to his ejection in the match.
The Thunder then leaned on consecutive baskets from former Laker guard Alex Caruso, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Jalen Williams as they established a 120-112 advantage.
The Lakers still managed to cut the deficit to 115-120, but the Thunder responded with baskets from Williams, Gilgeous-Alexander, and Cason Wallace as the lead was stretched to 136-116 on a Kenrich Williams triple.
Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 42 points, Jalen added 26 markers, while Luguentz Dort, Chet Holmgren, and Wallace contributed 17, 14, and 11 points, respectively, as the Thunders improved to a 65-14 win-loss slate.
LeBron James finished with 28 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, Austin Reaves added 24 markers, while Doncic and Dorian Finney-Smith contributed 23 and 12, respectively, as the Lakers dropped to a 48-31 record.
Meanwhile, Darius Garland scored 28 points and Evan Mobley added 21 to go along with 11 rebounds and seven assists, helping Cleveland Cavaliers clinch the top seed in the Eastern Conference with a 135-113 victory over Chicago Bulls.
Garland drilled six 3-pointers and finished 10 of 17 from the field for the Cavaliers (63-16), who erupted for 43 points in the second quarter on their way toward completing a four-game season sweep of the Bulls.
Cleveland’s Ty Jerome scored 18 points and De’Andre Hunter had 17 off the bench, Jarrett Allen contributed 12 points and nine rebounds for the Cavaliers, who played without leading scorer Donovan Mitchell (left ankle sprain).
Patrick Williams scored 21 points and Matas Buzelis added 19 markers for the undermanned Bulls (36-43), who couldn’t overcome the absences of Coby White (rest), Josh Giddey (forearm) and Nikola Vucevic (right calf soreness)./PN
BOX SCORE:
OKLAHOMA CITY 136 — Gilgeous-Alexander 42, Jal. Williams 26, Dort 17, Holmgren 14, Wallace 11, Caruso 9, Hartenstein 8, K. Williams 3, Joe 3, Wiggins 3, Jones 0, Flagler 0, Carlson 0.
LOS ANGELES 120 — James 28, Reaves 24, Doncic 23, Finney-Smith 12, Vanderbilt 8, Hayes 7, Goodwin 6, Vincent 5, Knecht 3, Koloko 2, Jemison 2, Milton 0.
Quarterscores: 43-43; 80-72; 97-98; 136-120.
