Thunderous Intentions
Fansided

Game Grades: OKC Thunder can't find their rhythm in loss to Lakers

OKC Thunder struggles to get into gear against the L.A. Lakers in a loss on the front end of the back-to-back.

By Ivan White

Jan 15, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2)
Jan 15, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next

Grading the OKC Thunder starters:

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, G, OKC Thunder: B+

Coming into this game as questionable, Gilgeous-Alexander looked a bit off throughout the night.

As a result, he finished with just 24 points, his lowest output in January. He also shot under 50% and continued to settle for 3-pointers instead of getting to his favorite spots.

Still, he finished with a steal and a block before he gets to face his former team on Tuesday.

Josh Giddey, G, OKC Thunder: D

The third-year guard made two 3-pointers but had a rough scoring night outside of that. However, he did manage to help with the Thunder’s rebounding effort early, specifically on the offensive end.

He pulled down five rebounds, including two offensive boards. With three assists, he was not the best playmaker for Oklahoma City, but still set up a few buckets for his teammates.

Lu Dort, F, OKC Thunder: B-

Like the others, Dort struggled to have a great game, but he was certainly not the reason Oklahoma City lost.

He ended with 11 points and was a positive for the Thunder on the glass, pulling down seven rebounds. It was his fifth game of the season with at least seven boards.

Jalen Williams, F, OKC Thunder: A

Williams has already made his mark as an elite option late in games and he continued to show some of that ability against the Lakers.

In the second half, Williams scored 19 of his team-high 25 points. That included his attempt at a fourth-quarter run.

While that never came to fruition, he had a couple of baskets in transition early in the fourth to try and spark Oklahoma City. The second-year star also put up six assists and three steals as he continues to show his abilities in both facets.

Chet Holmgren, C, OKC Thunder: C-

Holmgren has shown throughout the season that he can hang with some of the best bigs in the NBA. Monday told a different story.

Struggling to match up with Anthony Davis is not a recipe for the Thunder’s success, and with his first game with under 10 points in nearly 20 games, Holmgren was searching for answers.

Still, he finished with a team-high eight rebounds and had three blocks to give his team a chance down the stretch.

Home/Thunder News