Hot shooting lifts Lakers past OKC Thunder, despite stellar rookie play

The OKC Thunder came into Friday night on a two-game winning streak, bouncing back from their historic loss against Memphis last week the Thunder took down the Pistons and Raptors. The Oklahoma City Thunder won the first two matchups against the Lakers this season and welcomed them to the Paycom Center for the final time this year, as the two teams will only meet once more in April in L.A.

The Lakers deployed LeBron James but did not play Anthony Davis, Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Nunn, or Trevor Ariza. The OKC Thunder were only without Aaron Wiggins as Mark Daigneault sends 13 players into the contest. The only Thunder players to not see action tonight? Aaron Wiggins, Vit Krejci, Gabriel Deck, and Ty Jerome.

OKC Thunder falls to the L.A. Lakers 116-95, despite an impressive game from a trio of rookies

The Oklahoma City Thunder just did not have it tonight on either end of the floor. The Lakers blitzed in three-pointers all night as OKC went 0-for-11 from distance in the first frame. L.A. grew a 19 point lead by halftime, responded well to the Thunder’s lone counterpunch, and got a much-needed win.

The OKC Thunder got a huge lift from their trio of rookies, namely Tre Mann. The 18h overall pick from the University of Florida unleashed an unworldly slam at the rim, after not having a single dunk in his two years as a Gator.

Mann dripped with confidence in this contest, pouring in 19 points, hauling in three rebounds, and swiping a steal. The rookie shot 53-percent from the floor in this tilt and played 27-minutes.

Josh Giddey, the sixth overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft poured in 12 points, seven assists, and seven rebounds. Giddey is the first rookie in Thunder history to have four such games of 10-plus points, seven-plus assists, and seven-plus rebounds.

Jeremiah Robinson-Earl wanted to get in on the action as well chipping in eight points with nine rebounds, an assist, and 2-for-5 from three-point land.