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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Clemente Almanza

PHOTOS: Best images from Thunder’s 129-120 loss to Lakers

The Oklahoma City Thunder couldn’t fight off a desperate Los Angeles Lakers in their 129-120 loss on Saturday.

After a 39-point first quarter, OKC only scored 20 points in the second quarter and was outscored by 15 points to enter halftime with a double-digit deficit it never erased in the second half.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way for the Thunder with 34 points and seven assists. Jalen Williams had 28 points and six rebounds. OKC shot 13-of-41 (31.7%) from 3.

Meanwhile, LeBron James scored a season-high 40 points and Anthony Davis had 26 points and 11 rebounds for the Lakers, who snapped a four-game losing streak.

Let’s look at some of the best photos from the Thunder’s nine-point loss against the Lakers.

Dec 23, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives around Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 23, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) dunks against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 23, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) drives against Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 23, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) shoots between Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) and guard Cason Wallace (22) during the first quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 23, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) goes to the basket for a dunk against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 23, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts to an officials call during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 23, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts to an officials call during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 23, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and guard Austin Reaves (15) celebrate after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 23, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; An Oklahoma City Thunder Girl performs during a time out against the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 23, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) shoots a three point basket as Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) defends during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 23, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) shoots against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 23, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe (11) shoots a three point basket as Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell (1) defends during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 23, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) gestures after scoring a three point basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 23, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) drives as Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) defends during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 23, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) drives against Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 23, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dunks against Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 23, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives around Los Angeles Lakers forward Alex Fudge (17) during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 23, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) dunks against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 23, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) gestures to his team during the second quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 23, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; A close up view of Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) shoes during the second quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 23, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) shoots as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kenrich Williams (34) defends during the second quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 23, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) celebrates after dunking against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 23, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) moves past Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) during the first quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 23, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) drives between Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) and guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the first quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 23, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) shoots between Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) and guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the first quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 23, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) warms up before a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 23, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) warms up before the start of a game against the LA Lakers during the first quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
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