LeBron James and Lakers end trip with crushing loss to Thunder

Oklahoma City——

This is a fact, and it is a fact that the Lakers believe.

Thursday’s game against the Thunder is the fourth and final game of a less-than-week-long road trip, but with bones crunching and eyelids heavy, it feels like the end of a much longer slog.

The 133-110 loss meant the team finished just .500 on the trip, the accepted measure of success for any NBA road trip. But a lightning-fast victory over the Thunder after some fireworks in Philadelphia was hardly a success.

Then there’s the atmosphere, a perfect atmosphere that started in Cleveland giving way to palpable frustration in Philadelphia and palpable annoyance against the Thunder on Thursday.

If anything, the lesson is this: The Lakers have been good enough in more than half of their last 20 games. But they rarely, if ever, perform well.

Anthony Davis scored 31 points and 14 rebounds, LeBron James scored 21 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists, D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reeves combined for 30 points, but the Lakers Never been stopped consistently against a team that played faster and harder.

On Thursday, they put together a strong performance on the second night of a back-to-back.

Davis hit a jumper over Thunder rookie Chet Holmgren, Russell probed the defense, and the Lakers built a double-digit lead.

But whether it was fatigue or a recurring problem throughout the year, the game took a drastic turn.

The Lakers were unable to contain Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Cam Reddish was ruled out for a game after suffering a groin injury. Although head coach Davon Hamm is optimistic about Hachimura (who recently wore a protective face mask) and Jared Vanderbilt (who is getting ready for his season debut), both players on Thursday All absent.

Also unavailable is Jackson Hayes, who suffered an elbow injury on Wednesday that kept him out against the Thunder.

The shorthanded, short-handed Lakers were once again outplayed on the boards and outplayed in transition, with multiple possessions ending with James unable to cross the court as he grabbed oxygen.

All five Thunder starters scored at least 12 points, and Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 33 points, thanks in part to 10 free throws.

In terms of points allowed, their two worst games came on the road – allowing 138 points to Philadelphia and then 133 points to the Thunder.

There will be some changes to next week’s schedule due to the in-season tournament, with the Lakers playing just one game before facing the Rockets on Saturday before facing Phoenix in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.