Thunder Bounce Back with Grit Just in Time for NBA Playoffs After Lakers Blowout

OKLAHOMA CITY — Following a severe defeat at their own arena, the Oklahoma City Thunder were gearing up for a subsequent clash with the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday. In the locker room, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made his stance clear with a firm declaration: Never again. Their previous encounter had seen them thoroughly outplayed, with Luka Doncic leading the charge and a barrage of three-pointers from Dorian Finney-Smith, Gabe Vincent, and Austin Reaves sealing their fate. Despite the loss, Gilgeous-Alexander asserted, “If you get knocked down in your own neighborhood and come back the next day, falling again isn’t an option.”

“This evening was going to be a battleground,” Gilgeous-Alexander remarked as he exited the Paycom Center. “We had to reclaim our respect.”

The headline from Oklahoma City’s 136–120 win will undoubtedly be Doncic’s ejection in the fourth quarter, a controversial decision that incensed Lakers executives. Regardless, it’s a victory for the Thunder. Gilgeous-Alexander was outstanding, amassing 42 points, including 10 in the final quarter. He topped the charts in assists and was second only to Isaiah Hartenstein in rebounds. His shooting was precise, hitting 5 out of 9 from beyond the arc and 9 out of 11 from the free throw line. On a crucial night for Oklahoma City, he performed like the MVP contender he is.

Thunder coach Mark Daigneault was in awe of his star player, noting, “His confidence is unwavering.”

Despite dominating the Western Conference, doubts linger about the Thunder’s readiness for postseason challenges. A skilled roster and deep rotation are advantageous during regular play, but the playoffs demand toughness, discipline, and seasoned experience. As the season’s youngest team and the second youngest to ever top the West, their premature exit in the second round last year fuels skepticism about their chances this season.

The Lakers’ dominant display on Sunday added credibility to these doubts, tearing apart the NBA’s best defense. Doncic, a tormentor from last season’s conference semifinals, resumed his onslaught. It was a straightforward strategy executed with devastating efficacy, and Doncic’s 30 points felt more like 50.

To Gilgeous-Alexander, the defeat was a wake-up call. Despite a stellar season start with a 30–5 record and being the first in the conference to hit 50 wins, a creeping complacency had blunted their sharpness. A recent defeat in Houston and then a worse one to the Lakers underscored that the Thunder were losing their competitive edge just as teams were ramping up their playoff push.

Gilgeous-Alexander reflected, “It’s a new experience for us, but we understand what needs to be done. Stay true to ourselves, focus on the basics, and play our game.”

And that’s precisely what they did on Tuesday. The Thunder’s defense forced 18 turnovers, and offensively, they shot 50% from the field. Despite the Lakers hitting nine of their first 12 three-point attempts, Oklahoma City didn’t buckle. They were down by one when Doncic was ejected with just over seven minutes left. They immediately went on a 29–12 run, fueled by Gilgeous-Alexander’s offense and Lu Dort’s defense.

“At this point, these guys are committed to giving their all,” Daigneault commented. “They might fail, but they won’t shy away. That’s what defines a true competitor. True competitors might fail, but they never hide. And these guys are out in the open.”

Throughout the organization, there’s a sense of gratitude towards the Lakers. It’s tough to maintain focus after securing your conference lead by mid-March, when the conversation shifts more towards individual accolades than playoff positioning. Eight teams in the Eastern Conference have been scrambling for spots, and five in the West are trying to avoid the play-in games. Even Cleveland, who had a lead similar to Oklahoma City’s, has started to feel the pressure from Boston.

Oklahoma City was reminded of the difficulty in clinching victories at the highest level. The Lakers, one of the best second-half stories this NBA season, have swiftly integrated Doncic, relying on a tenacious defense and the late-game heroics of Doncic and LeBron James. As I queried Daigneault about the value of these late-season games, he affirmed even before responding.

“We’re young, and one of our strengths is our potential for improvement if we keep our focus,” Daigneault said. “Coasting at this stage would have been detrimental. The caliber of opponents we’ve faced recently has been extremely beneficial and has helped us improve,” he added.

“The Lakers challenge you to be better. If there’s even a slight misstep in your defense, they’ll exploit it nearly every time. Reacting to that, making adjustments, and emotionally rebounding from Sunday’s game was crucial for us. These experiences are invaluable, and they’re what we focus on as we approach the end of the regular season,” he explained.

As the playoffs loom, expectations for Oklahoma City are high. Youth and inexperience will not be acceptable excuses, and Gilgeous-Alexander is resolute. After six seasons with the Thunder, experiencing highs and lows and personal growth, there’s no room left for mere progress. Surrounded by a team capable of securing a championship, he walked into the brisk Midwestern evening, focused and ready to seize the moment.

“We’ve all grown,” says Gilgeous-Alexander. “Another season under our belts, another year of improvement, we should be better prepared now. Yes, we are ready.”