The Lakers faced a tough night that can only be described as a nightmare. On Thursday, they suffered a substantial defeat, losing 139-96 to the reigning champion Thunder. Luka Doncic sustained a left hamstring injury in the third quarter and is scheduled for an MRI on Friday. Austin Reeves also appeared to struggle, frequently clutching his side and back during the game.
This defeat marked a significant downturn for a team that had recently been riding high with a 16-2 record in the Western Conference last month. They had started to position themselves as serious contenders for the championship, and Doncic was emerging as a frontrunner for the MVP award.
The Thunder, however, took those aspirations and deflated them like balloons filled with hot air.
Heading into the game, the Lakers were all too aware of the challenge posed by the top-seeded Thunder and last year’s MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. It was an important test of their legitimacy, but even before Doncic’s injury, the team arrived underprepared—as if they showed up to an exam without studying.
One might think it’s an exaggeration to say a single game can have such an impact, but after watching Thursday’s match, it’s hard to argue otherwise.
In the first quarter, the Lakers’ shooting percentage hovered at 33% compared to the Thunder’s 63%. They turned the ball over eight times while only managing five field goals. By the second quarter, the deficit grew to 35 points, and at one point, they trailed by as much as 46, the worst gap they’ve faced this season.
“They dominated us tonight,” Reeves acknowledged, leading the Lakers with 15 points but also racking up four turnovers.
The Thunder effectively stifled the Lakers’ momentum, turning excitement from the past month into fading embers.
The Lakers are no longer seen as championship favorites, and Doncic’s claim to the MVP title is in jeopardy.
If Doncic’s injury turns out to be serious, the Lakers may not progress beyond the first round of the playoffs. Missing the final five games of the season would also render him ineligible for all NBA awards, as he’s currently played in 64 games—just shy of the 65-game threshold.
This would mean a player leading the league in scoring, third in assists, and sixth in steals could go from being a strong MVP contender to being entirely sidelined due to one unfortunate night.
“This is the last thing you want to see at this point in the season,” said LeBron James, who had 13 points in this, the second-worst loss of his career. “Especially for anyone on our team. When you have an MVP candidate, you dread seeing them go down with a hamstring injury.”
Thursday night raised more concerns for the Lakers, particularly for coach JJ Redick, who faced questions about his decision-making. Doncic’s hamstring issue occurred during the second quarter. Why allow him to return in a game where the team was already trailing by 31 points? He certainly wasn’t going to single-handedly save them, especially on a night when their turnovers outnumbered field goals.
“We checked on him,” Redick stated. “He was cleared. We wouldn’t risk our players. These things happen.”
But in hindsight, it may have been a risky call to let Doncic play that third quarter. That decision could deeply affect a team that had been rapidly gaining momentum.
The Lakers had previously bested several championship contenders, including the Rockets and Nuggets, just last month. A victory over the Thunder would have solidified their status as genuine threats for the Larry O’Brien Trophy, making Doncic’s MVP bid even more compelling.
Instead, they left the game feeling defeated—like boxers knocked out after stepping up into a weight class beyond their reach. This wasn’t just a setback; it was a wake-up call. And unfortunately for the Lakers, there’s no simply waking up from this matter. It’s here, and it’s real.
