The Los Angeles Lakers, missing four primary playmakers and a key reserve, were overpowered by the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, 123-87, on Tuesday night, April 7, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Head coach Darvin Ham had to navigate the game without Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, Marcus Smart and backup center Jaxson Hayes. The depleted roster struggled early as Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren opened the contest on an 8-2 run, prompting an early Lakers timeout.
Forward Drew Timme, making a rare start, responded with a three-pointer and scored 10 of Los Angeles’ first 15 points. Bench guard Adou Thiero added energy and hit a triple, while Jarred Vanderbilt and rookie Kobe Bufkin connected from deep. Despite the surge, Oklahoma City closed the first quarter ahead 34-27.
Rui Hachimura opened the second period with seven consecutive points to pull the Lakers even, and Luke Kennard found teammates for open looks. Momentum shifted when Thiero took an elbow from Holmgren and headed to the locker room. The Thunder capitalized, rebuilding a double-digit advantage and entering halftime up 65-47.
Thiero returned for the third quarter, but the Lakers’ offense stalled while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Holmgren extended Oklahoma City’s cushion to 93-62 through three. Hachimura remained Los Angeles’ primary scoring option, yet the gap continued to widen.
With the outcome decided, Ham turned to his two-way and deep-bench players in the fourth quarter. Timme, Thiero and rookie Bronny James logged extended minutes, though the Lakers were unable to mount a comeback.
Up Next
Los Angeles closes the regular season with three games in four days: Thursday at the Golden State Warriors, Friday at home against the Phoenix Suns and Sunday versus the Utah Jazz.
Source: LakersNation.com
