The Oklahoma City Thunder spoiled a historic night as LeBron James became the All-Time Leading scorer in the history of the NBA, passing Kareem Abdul-Jabar, who has held the record since 1984. The OKC Thunder showed tremendous growth and earned a massive win over the Lakers for Play-in positioning.
While the night is not truly spoiled, it was an epic celebration of basketball and something we will never see again as LeBron James earns the most points in NBA history and still counting; it was an impressive win for the Oklahoma City Thunder, given the circumstances.
This is the second-youngest team in NBA history, the youngest team this season, and all these guys grew up watching LeBron James, even idolizing him in some cases. So on a night that he broke this monumental record in front of a sold-out crowd, there was a 15-minute delay for an excellent and well-deserved presentation, and the OKC Thunder did not fold.
This team won a pivotal game, and each wanted to win based on rotations, standings, and the intensity of this game, but it was the Thunder who came out victorious on the road in an iconic venue.
The Oklahoma City Thunder played spoiler as LeBron James turned in a historical performance in a loss to the young, scrappy, and hungry OKC Thunder.
LeBron James deserves all the flowers, media attention, and praise he is getting during and after this game. However, it can not be overlooked how massive this game might end up meaning for each team. The Thunder and Lakers only face off three times this season, and the Lakers have to win the next two meetings to own the season tie-breaker in case it is needed in the standings.
Now, the Thunder sit half a game out of the NBA Play-in Tournament, two and a half games out of the 6th seed, and more meaningful basketball ahead as they take on the Trailblazers in Portland on Sunday.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey looked like the best duo on the floor tonight in a game with LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the other side, with six of the nine Thunder players who entered the game (only eight played more than five minutes), scored in double-figures.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dominated to the tune of 30 points, two rebounds, eight assists, two steals, 53 percent from the floor, 1-for-1 from distance, and 11-for-12 at the free throw line. SGA was magically in the mid-range, prolific at the rim, and even earned the steal that put the cherry on top of this game.
Jalen Williams was jaw-dropping as the rookie played his first game in Staples Center (I know, it has a new name, Crypto Arena), as a Kobe Bryant superfan and presumed Lakers fan earned a matchup with LeBron James on a record-setting night. “I learned Is strong.” Williams joked after the game.
The 12th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft scored 25 points, grabbed seven rebounds, dished two assists, swatted a shot, and swiped six steals while shooting 3-for-6 from distance and 52 percent from the floor.
Josh Giddey was electric in a must-win game to keep hanging around in the playoff standings, something it seems like this team truly desires; he poured in 20 points, five rebounds, and six assists while shooting 52 percent from the floor.
Mike Muscala scored 16 points, Isaiah Joe stroked five triples on his way to 15 points, and Kenrich Williams posted eight points and four rebounds.
Congratulations to LeBron James on this milestone, one Oklahoma City will be tethered to forever. That is pretty cool for lifelong Oklahomans. This game had a playoff-like feel, which was incredible for this young Thunder team to be part of.