After splitting their way one by one, the Los Angeles Lakers returned home and hosted the Oklahoma City Thunder in their final group game of the Emirates NBA Cup on Friday night.

Given that they were eliminated in their final group game by the Phoenix Suns, this was a must for the Lakers if they wanted to have a chance of advancing to the knockout rounds. However, the Thunder have been one of the best teams in the league this season, and they proved it as they took a 101-93 victory in a defensive battle.

LeBron James started the night with a great pass to Austin Reaves for a triple. However, the Thunder responded immediately with a 13-2 run and took an early lead. They continued to attack the basket, forcing JJ Redick to call a timeout while the Lakers trailed 18-8.

However, the Lakers had a good response after the timeout when Anthony Davis hit back-to-back shots and then a block, setting up a corner three-pointer from Dalton Knecht.

Unfortunately, LA had another mistake at the end of the quarter, allowing the Thunder to take a 32-24 lead heading into the second quarter.

It appeared to be a run game at the start, as the Lakers began the second round with seven straight points and stayed close, with D’Angelo Russell leading the way.

Reaves was fouled hard on a drive to the basket and fell hard. However, he was able to stay in the game and made both free throws before finally coming out and returning to the locker room.

However, after Reaves’ exit, the Lakers closed in defensively and allowed James to get out in transition, with both he and Davis attacking the basket to regain the lead. That was short-lived, however, as the Thunder ended the half with consecutive three-pointers to take a 51-48 lead into the locker room.

Reaves didn’t play in the third quarter, so Russell started in his place and made a three-pointer to answer two deep throws from the Thunder. Knecht then made it to 62 with a three-point and huge poster dunk.

Reaves was eventually able to return to the game, which was great for the Lakers. However, both teams failed to get much going offensively in the third quarter. It was the Thunder once again who finished the frame strong with five points in a row to make it 71-69.

It didn’t take long for the Lakers to briefly regain the lead in the fourth, and again it was thanks to two Russell triples. Russell also did a good job on the glass for LA

It was back and forth, however, as the Thunder immediately responded with a 6-0 run, forcing a Lakers timeout.

Knecht provided the necessary tightness with two three-pointers, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander also got his team going offensively.

With the Lakers trailing 92-89 in the final minutes, Reaves scored inside and was fouled. However, he missed the free throw and then Gilgeous-Alexander hit another three-pointer.

Max Christie found himself in the final lineup and scored to bring the Lakers back within two minutes. However, he then committed a costly foul as Gilgeous-Alexander scored both goals, increasing their lead to two possessions. After the Lakers lost the ball, the Thunder ended the game with a dunk.

What’s next for the Lakers?

The Lakers will not be back on the road to face the Utah Jazz on Sunday night as they play the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday.

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