Game ID: 22501155
Oklahoma City Thunder @ Los Angeles Lakers
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at 10:30 PM ET
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
LAL 27 20 15 25 87OKC 34 31 28 30 123
LAL vs OKC ScoutingLAL vs OKC Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
LAL availability going into 3/30 · 2 days' restOUT Smart missed 3 since 3/23, out tonight
OUT Smith Jr. missed 21 since 2/12, out tonight
BACK Hachimura back 3/27 after 2, 26 min since (88% of 30)
BACK Vanderbilt back 3/23 after 5, 13 min since (76% of 17)
BACK Kleber back 3/23 after 7, 6 min since (56% of 10)
NEW Hayes 18 to 24 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 3/31 · back-to-backOUT Smart missed 4 since 3/23, out tonight
OUT Smith Jr. missed 22 since 2/12, out tonight
OUT Kleber missed 2 since 3/27, out tonight
BACK Hachimura back 3/27 after 2, 26 min since (87% of 30)
BACK Vanderbilt back 3/23 after 5, 15 min since (91% of 17)
NEW Hayes 18 to 24 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 4/02 · 1 day's restOUT Smart missed 5 since 3/23, out tonight
OUT Smith Jr. missed 23 since 2/12, out tonight
OUT Kleber missed 3 since 3/27, returns tonight: 8 min (79% of 10)
BACK Hachimura back 3/27 after 2, 24 min since (79% of 30)
BACK Vanderbilt back 3/23 after 5, 15 min since (91% of 17)
NEW Hayes 18 to 24 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 4/05 · 2 days' restOUT Smart missed 6 since 3/23, out tonight
OUT Smith Jr. missed 24 since 2/12, returns tonight: 2 min (22% of 11)
BACK Hachimura back 3/27 after 2, 22 min since (75% of 30)
BACK Kleber back 4/02 after 3, 8 min since (79% of 10)
NEW Hayes 18 to 24 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 4/07 · 1 day's restOUT Smart missed 7 since 3/23, out tonight
BACK Hachimura back 3/27 after 2, 26 min since (86% of 30)
BACK Smith Jr. back 4/05 after 24, 2 min since (22% of 11)
BACK Kleber back 4/02 after 3, 10 min since (101% of 10)
NEW LaRavia 24 to 30 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 4/09 · 1 day's restOUT Reaves missed 2 since 4/05, out tonight
OUT Smart missed 8 since 3/23, out tonight
BACK Smith Jr. back 4/05 after 24, 7 min since (66% of 11)
BACK Kleber back 4/02 after 3, 11 min since (110% of 10)
NEW LaRavia 24 to 31 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 4/10 · back-to-backOUT Reaves missed 3 since 4/05, out tonight
OUT Smart missed 9 since 3/23, returns tonight: 18 min (62% of 29)
OUT Hayes missed 2 since 4/07, out tonight
BACK Smith Jr. back 4/05 after 24, 9 min since (79% of 11)
BACK Kleber back 4/02 after 3, 10 min since (95% of 10)
NEW Kennard 25 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW LaRavia 24 to 31 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 4/12 · 1 day's restOUT Reaves missed 4 since 4/05, out tonight
OUT Hayes missed 3 since 4/07, out tonight
BACK Smart back 4/10 after 9, 18 min since (62% of 29)
BACK Smith Jr. back 4/05 after 24, 10 min since (89% of 11)
BACK Kleber back 4/02 after 3, 10 min since (99% of 10)
NEW Kennard 25 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW LaRavia 24 to 30 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 4/18 · 5 days' restOUT Reaves missed 5 since 4/05, out tonight
OUT Hayes missed 4 since 4/07, returns tonight: 13 min (71% of 18)
BACK Smart back 4/10 after 9, 22 min since (76% of 29)
BACK Smith Jr. back 4/05 after 24, 11 min since (104% of 11)
OKC availability going into 3/29 · 1 day's restBACK Jal. Williams back 3/23 after 16, 24 min since (86% of 27)
BACK Dort back 3/23 after 2, 21 min since (79% of 26)
BACK Sandfort back 3/18 after 7, 3 min since (22% of 16)
BACK K. Williams back 3/18 after 3, 10 min since (73% of 14)
BACK Carlson back 3/23 after 11, 2 min since (20% of 12)
OKC availability going into 3/30 · back-to-backBACK Jal. Williams back 3/23 after 16, 25 min since (91% of 27)
BACK Dort back 3/23 after 2, 22 min since (85% of 26)
BACK Sandfort back 3/27 after 3, 2 min since (14% of 16)
BACK Carlson back 3/23 after 11, 2 min since (20% of 12)
OKC availability going into 4/02 · 2 days' restOUT Sandfort missed 2 since 3/29, out tonight
OUT Carlson missed 2 since 3/29, returns tonight: 12 min (103% of 12)
BACK Jal. Williams back 3/23 after 16, 25 min since (91% of 27)
BACK Dort back 3/23 after 2, 22 min since (85% of 26)
OKC availability going into 4/05 · 2 days' restOUT Sandfort missed 3 since 3/29, out tonight
BACK Carlson back 4/02 after 2, 12 min since (103% of 12)
OKC availability going into 4/07 · 1 day's restOUT Sandfort missed 4 since 3/29, out tonight
BACK Carlson back 4/02 after 2, 10 min since (87% of 12)
OKC availability going into 4/08 · back-to-backOUT Sandfort missed 5 since 3/29, out tonight
BACK Carlson back 4/02 after 2, 9 min since (79% of 12)
OKC availability going into 4/10 · 1 day's restOUT Sandfort missed 6 since 3/29, returns tonight: 28 min (179% of 16)
BACK Carlson back 4/02 after 2, 9 min since (79% of 12)
OKC availability going into 4/12 · 1 day's restBACK Sandfort back 4/10 after 6, 28 min since (179% of 16)
BACK Carlson back 4/02 after 2, 16 min since (140% of 12)
OKC availability going into 4/19 · 6 days' restOUT Gilgeous-Alexande missed 2 since 4/10, returns tonight: 29 min (87% of 34)
OUT Holmgren missed 2 since 4/10, returns tonight: 25 min (85% of 29)
OUT Jal. Williams missed 2 since 4/10, returns tonight: 29 min (107% of 27)
OUT Mitchell missed 2 since 4/10, returns tonight: 22 min (83% of 26)
OUT Wallace missed 2 since 4/10, returns tonight: 21 min (78% of 26)
OUT Hartenstein missed 2 since 4/10, returns tonight: 20 min (82% of 24)
OUT Joe missed 2 since 4/10, returns tonight: 20 min (102% of 20)
OUT Caruso missed 2 since 4/10, returns tonight: 13 min (69% of 19)
OUT J. Williams missed 2 since 4/10, returns tonight: 10 min (51% of 19)
BACK Sandfort back 4/10 after 6, 28 min since (178% of 16)
NEW Carlson 12 to 24 min over the last 4
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 117, shooting 52 percent and 34 from three, 32 free throws a game; Dončić at 32 and Reaves at 20 a game. They have won the glass by 5 a night. Without Smart (7 straight). One day's rest. OKC comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 128 a night and allowing 106, shooting 51 percent and 40 from three, 26 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 30 and Jal. Williams at 16 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Sandfort (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: OKC wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, OKC allowing 106 a night to the Lakers' 117 and the arc, OKC at 40 percent from three to the Lakers' 34. Call it OKC 119, the Lakers 113.
3/30 vs WAS 120-101 — LAL notes
LAL won 120-101. LAL shot 56% (44 of 79) to WAS's 44%, 7 of 24 from three, and went to the line 32 times to WAS's 16 — 25 points from the stripe to their 12. LAL turned it over 15 times to WAS's 9, and WAS turned those into 11 steals. The glass went 48-33 for them. L. James led with 21 (8 of 16, 1 of 3 from three, 4 of 6 at the line); Reaves added 19, Kennard 19. The hinge was Q2, 40-18: LAL came in trailing by 1 and left it ahead by 21, and the lead reached 30. L. James was the night's best plus/minus at +25.
3/31 vs CLE 127-113 — LAL notes
LAL won 127-113. LAL shot 54% (45 of 83) to CLE's 49%, 13 of 31 from three, and went to the line 26 times to CLE's 19 — 24 points from the stripe to their 14. Dončić led with 42 (13 of 26, 6 of 13 from three, 10 of 10 at the line); Reaves added 19, Ayton 18. The hinge was Q3, 45-30: a lead of 12 became 27. LaRavia was the night's best plus/minus at +23.
4/02 @ OKC 96-139 — LAL notes
LAL lost 96-139. LAL shot 43% (34 of 79) to OKC's 54%, 7 of 30 from three, and went to the line 27 times to OKC's 13 — 21 points from the stripe to their 10. LAL turned it over 18 times to OKC's 10, and OKC turned those into 12 steals. The glass went 38-50 against them. Reaves led with 15 (5 of 9, 2 of 3 from three); L. James added 13, Dončić 12. Q4 was theirs, 29-27, the deficit cut from 45 to 43, but the other 3 periods went 112-67 against them. Hachimura's -39 in 18 minutes was the worst on the floor.
4/05 @ DAL 128-134 — LAL notes
LAL lost 128-134. LAL shot 52% (47 of 91) to DAL's 52%, 8 of 27 from three. LAL turned it over 12 times to DAL's 7, and DAL turned those into 11 steals. The glass went 49-38 for them. L. James led with 30 (12 of 22, 1 of 6 from three, 5 of 9 at the line); Hayes added 23, Hachimura 21. Q2 was theirs, 31-26, the deficit cut from 11 to 6, but the other 3 periods went 108-97 against them. Vanderbilt's -19 in 12 minutes was the worst on the floor.
4/07 vs OKC 87-123 — LAL notes
LAL lost 87-123. LAL shot 44% (32 of 73) to OKC's 51%, 9 of 26 from three, and went to the line 31 times to OKC's 14 — 14 points from the stripe to their 12. LAL turned it over 17 times to OKC's 12, and OKC turned those into 15 steals. Hachimura led with 15 (7 of 10); Timme added 11, Smith Jr. 11. Q4 was theirs, 25-30, but the other 3 periods went 93-62 against them. Timme's -26 in 27 minutes was the worst on the floor.
4/09 @ GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Golden State comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 117, shooting 46 percent and 36 from three, 19 free throws a game; Podziemski at 20 and Santos at 16 a game. Without Horford (13 straight), Williams (3 straight), Cryer (2 straight). One day's rest. The Lakers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 122, shooting 50 percent and 32 from three, 30 free throws a game; James at 20 and Reaves at 18 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Reaves (2 straight), Smart (8 straight). One day's rest.
So: Golden State wins, and the game turns on the line, where the Lakers take 30 free throws a game to Golden State's 19 and the glass, where the Lakers have been plus-2 a night and Golden State minus-3. Call it Golden State 116, the Lakers 114, the Lakers keeping it close.
4/10 vs PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 122, shooting 51 percent and 37 from three, 25 free throws a game; James at 21 and Hachimura at 13 a game. Without Reaves (3 straight), Smart (9 straight), Hayes (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Phoenix comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 116, shooting 45 percent and 35 from three, 25 free throws a game; Booker at 31 and Brooks at 15 a game. It has lost the glass by 9 a night. One day's rest.
So: Phoenix wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where the Lakers have been minus-2 a night and Phoenix minus-9 and the defense, Phoenix allowing 116 a night to the Lakers' 122. Call it Phoenix 115, the Lakers 114, the Lakers keeping it close.
4/12 vs UTA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 114, shooting 50 percent and 36 from three, 26 free throws a game; James at 24 and Hachimura at 13 a game. They have lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Reaves (4 straight), Hayes (3 straight). One day's rest. Utah comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 135, shooting 49 percent and 33 from three, 21 free throws a game; Sensabaugh at 25 and Bailey at 18 a game. Without Collier (12 straight), Mykhailiuk (2 straight), Harkless (6 straight). One day's rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the defense, the Lakers allowing 114 a night to Utah's 135 and the glass, where Utah has been minus-1 a night and the Lakers minus-5. Call it the Lakers 122, Utah 116.
4/18 vs HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 108, shooting 53 percent and 41 from three, 24 free throws a game; James at 26 and Hachimura at 17 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Reaves (5 straight), Hayes (4 straight). 5 days' rest. Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 112, shooting 50 percent and 34 from three, 24 free throws a game; Durant at 29 and Thompson at 25 a game. It has won the glass by 15 a night. 5 days' rest.
So: The Lakers win, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-15 a night and the Lakers minus-1 and the arc, the Lakers at 41 percent from three to Houston's 34. Call it the Lakers 115, Houston 114, Houston keeping it close.
3/29 vs NYK 111-100 — OKC notes
OKC won 111-100. OKC shot 47% (35 of 75) to NYK's 44%, 10 of 28 from three, and went to the line 38 times to NYK's 17 — 31 points from the stripe to their 13. OKC turned it over 13 times to NYK's 18. Gilgeous-Alexander led with 30 (8 of 18, 1 of 3 from three, 13 of 16 at the line); Jal. Williams added 22, Holmgren 16. The hinge was Q3, 31-26: a lead of 1 became 6. Holmgren was the night's best plus/minus at +16.
3/30 vs DET 114-110 — OKC notes
OKC won 114-110 in 1 overtime. OKC shot 47% (38 of 81) to DET's 42%, 10 of 34 from three, and went to the line 32 times to DET's 23 — 28 points from the stripe to their 12. Gilgeous-Alexander led with 47 (12 of 19, 2 of 3 from three, 21 of 25 at the line); Mitchell added 14, Holmgren 13. The hinge was Q1, 31-24: from level to 7 ahead, and the lead reached 15.
4/02 vs LAL 139-96 — OKC notes
OKC won 139-96. OKC shot 54% (55 of 102) to LAL's 43%, 19 of 42 from three, and got to the line 13 times to LAL's 27. OKC turned it over 10 times to LAL's 18. The glass went 50-38 for them. Gilgeous-Alexander led with 28 (12 of 25, 1 of 4 from three); Joe added 20, Dort 14. The hinge was Q1, 44-21: from level to 23 ahead, and the lead reached 46. Gilgeous-Alexander was the night's best plus/minus at +35.
4/05 vs UTA 146-111 — OKC notes
OKC won 146-111. OKC shot 59% (54 of 92) to UTA's 43%, 24 of 45 from three. Holmgren led with 21 (8 of 11, 4 of 5 from three); Gilgeous-Alexander added 20, Wallace 16. The hinge was Q1, 40-25: from level to 15 ahead, and the lead reached 43. Jal. Williams was the night's best plus/minus at +31.
4/07 @ LAL 123-87 — OKC notes
OKC won 123-87. OKC shot 51% (45 of 89) to LAL's 44%, 21 of 41 from three, and got to the line 14 times to LAL's 31. OKC turned it over 12 times to LAL's 17. Gilgeous-Alexander led with 25 (10 of 15); Joe added 18, Holmgren 15. The hinge was Q3, 28-15: a lead of 18 became 31, and the lead reached 41. Gilgeous-Alexander was the night's best plus/minus at +32.
4/08 @ LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Clippers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 111, shooting 50 percent and 38 from three, 24 free throws a game; Leonard at 25 and Collins at 18 a game. Without Batum (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. OKC comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 127 a night and allowing 101, shooting 52 percent and 44 from three, 23 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 30 and Jal. Williams at 16 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Sandfort (5 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: OKC wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where OKC has been plus-3 a night and the Clippers minus-4 and the defense, OKC allowing 101 a night to the Clippers' 111. Call it OKC 116, the Clippers 111.
4/10 @ DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 131 a night and allowing 119, shooting 51 percent and 40 from three, 22 free throws a game; Jokić at 26 and Murray at 24 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Jones (4 straight). One day's rest. OKC comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 130 a night and allowing 103, shooting 54 percent and 44 from three, 20 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 28 and Holmgren at 17 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Sandfort (6 straight). One day's rest.
So: OKC wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, OKC allowing 103 a night to Denver's 119 and the arc, OKC at 44 percent from three to Denver's 40. Call it OKC 120, Denver 117, Denver keeping it close.
4/12 vs PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
OKC comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 129 a night and allowing 106, shooting 52 percent and 44 from three, 16 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 23 and Holmgren at 18 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. One day's rest. Phoenix comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 103 a night and allowing 113, shooting 44 percent and 32 from three, 22 free throws a game; Booker at 30 and Green at 16 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. One day's rest.
So: OKC wins, and the game turns on the arc, OKC at 44 percent from three to Phoenix's 32 and the glass, where OKC has been plus-6 a night and Phoenix minus-5. Call it OKC 119, Phoenix 106, OKC by 13.
4/19 vs PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
OKC comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 114, shooting 50 percent and 43 from three, 15 free throws a game; Holmgren at 22 and Gilgeous-Alexander at 22 a game. Without Gilgeous-Alexander (2 straight), Holmgren (2 straight), Jal. Williams (2 straight). 6 days' rest. Phoenix comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 108, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 21 free throws a game; Booker at 33 and Brooks at 16 a game. Without Booker (2 straight), Green (2 straight), Goodwin (2 straight). 6 days' rest.
So: OKC wins, and the game turns on the arc, OKC at 43 percent from three to Phoenix's 34 and the line, where Phoenix takes 21 free throws a game to OKC's 15. Call it OKC 116, Phoenix 110.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
OKCAC A. Caruso
AM A. Mitchell
AW A. Wiggins
BB B. Barnhizer
BC B. Carlson
CH C. Holmgren
CW C. Wallace
IH I. Hartenstein
IJ I. Joe
JM J. McCain
JW J. Williams
KW K. Williams
LD L. Dort
NT N. Topić
SG S. Gilgeous-Alexander
TO Topic
LALAT A. Thiero
BJ B. James
CM C. Mañon
DA D. Ayton
DK D. Knecht
DT D. Timme
JL J. LaRavia
JV J. Vanderbilt
KB K. Bufkin
LK L. Kennard
MK M. Kleber
MA Manon
NS N. Smith Jr.
RH R. Hachimura
OKC/LAL the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads Thunder to easy 123-87 win over injury-depleted Lakers
LOS ANGELES -- — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 25 points and eight assists, and Isaiah Joe hit six 3-pointers in the Oklahoma City Thunder 's 123-87 victory over the injury-depleted Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night.
Jared McCain scored 15 points and Chet Holmgren had 15 points and 10 rebounds for the NBA-leading Thunder, who swept the season series against the Lakers with their sixth straight victory and 18th in 19 games overall.
The Lakers had their lowest-scoring performance of the season while playing without Luka Doncic , LeBron James , Austin Reaves , Marcus Smart and Jaxson Hayes , who represent a combined 94.6 points per game. Doncic and Reaves are out for the rest of the regular season, while the 41-year-old James sat for one game to rest his arthritic left foot.
Rui Hachimura scored 15 points and Drew Timme had 11 for the Pacific Division champion Lakers, who have lost three straight since losing Doncic and Reaves to injury last week in Oklahoma City.
Los Angeles had won 13 of 14 and was closing in on the third seed before losing Doncic, who is in Europe seeking treatment on his Grade 2 left hamstring strain .
Rookie Adou Thiero scored a career-high 10 points for the Lakers, who still kept the game even until midway through the second quarter. But Oklahoma City finished the half on a 23-5 run, and Los Angeles scored just 22 points in its next 24 minutes of play.
Lakers coach JJ Redick and Jarred Vanderbilt exchanged heated words after Redick called a timeout and removed Vanderbilt from the game 16 seconds into the second quarter. Assistant coaches and players stayed between the two until the lengthy exchange cooled down, and Vanderbilt didn't play again.
Up next Thunder: At Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday.