OKLAHOMA CITY — Luka Doncic scored 30 points and the Los Angeles Lakers routed the league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder 126-99 on Sunday (Monday, April 7, 2025, PH time).
Austin Reaves scored 20 points and LeBron James added 19 points and seven assists for the Lakers, who have won four of five.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 26 points and Jalen Williams added 16 for the Thunder.
Oklahoma City entered the day two games ahead of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the race for the league’s best record with five games to play. Instead of closing in on the top seed and homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs, the Thunder lost consecutive games for just the second time this season.
The teams will meet again Tuesday in Oklahoma City.
The Lakers led 42-32 after one quarter.
Doncic drove to the hoop before firing a two-handed pass behind his head to an open Gabe Vincent, who drained the 3-pointer to give the Lakers a 64-42 lead. The Lakers led 78-56 at halftime after making a franchise record 15 3-pointers in the first half. It was the most points Oklahoma City has given up in any half this season. Doncic led the way with 22 points and hit five 3-pointers, with most being well contested.
Doncic was fouled as he made a circus layup and the free throw pushed the Lakers’ lead to 93-67 in the third. The Lakers led 103-77 at the end of the period.
James’ son, Bronny, hit a 3-pointer for the Lakers in the final minute to close out the scoring.
Los Angeles showed the peak of its capability in perhaps the best piece of evidence that things are working with James and Doncic together.
The Lakers’ spectacular individual shotmaking rendered Oklahoma City’s team defensive strategy useless.
James got a steal and breakaway dunk in the fourth quarter to make it 107-83.
The Thunder scored fewer than 100 points for the first time since Nov. 15.
Bucks 111, Pelicans 107
NEW ORLEANS — Gary Trent Jr. scored a season-high 29 points, and the Milwaukee Bucks improved their hold on fifth place in the Eastern Conference by defeating the New Orleans Pelicans 111-107.
Milwaukee rested Giannis Antetokounmpo after he played 43 minutes — and had 36 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists — in a 121-115 overtime victory at Miami on Saturday night.
Brook Lopez had 20 points and 12 rebounds for the Bucks (44-34), who won their fourth straight and took a full game lead on idle Detroit (43-35).
Milwaukee’s Kevin Porter Jr., who had 24 points and 12 rebounds off the bench in Miami, got the start in New Orleans and scored 20 points. Ryan Rollins added 14 points and 10 assists.
Antonio Reeves scored 23 and fellow rookie Yves Missi had 18 points and 12 rebounds for New Orleans, which lost its third straight. Second-year pro Lester Quinones, playing in just his ninth NBA game this season, scored 17 points.
Elsewhere, the Toronto Raptors beat the Brooklyn Nets 120-109, Boston Celtics won 124-90 over Washington Wizards, Sacramento Kings triumphed 120-113 at Cleveland, Portland Trail Blazers defeated San Antonio Spurs 120-109, Atlanta Hawks beat Utah Jazz 147-134, New York Knicks defeated Phoenix Suns 112-98, Indiana Pacers beat Denver Nuggets 125-120, Houston Rockets rolled past Golden State Warriors 106-96, and the Chicago Bulls won 131-117 at Charlotte. / AP