Luka Doncic, the star player for the Los Angeles Lakers, was ejected from the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, leading to a devastating 136-120 loss for the Lakers. The incident occurred in the fourth quarter, with the Lakers leading by a single point at the time.
The Thunder, led by the exceptional performance of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 42 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists, sealed their 65th win of the season, surpassing their previous franchise record of 64 wins set in the 1995-1996 season when the team was still based in Seattle.
The Lakers protested Doncic’s ejection, as the Slovenian star claimed he was shouting at a fan seated courtside after scoring two points, and not at the referee. This was the first time Doncic had been ejected during his tenure with the Lakers.
«Luka Doncic becomes the FIRST PLAYER IN NBA HISTORY TO RECEIVE A TECHNICAL FOUL FOR TALKING TO A FAN FIRST EVER»
– Coach Shubh
Thunder’s Historic Season and Lakers’ Playoff Push
With their 65th win, the Thunder have secured the best regular season in their franchise history, surpassing their previous record. This achievement solidifies their position as the leaders in the Western Conference, guaranteeing them home-court advantage until the potential conference finals.
The Lakers, on the other hand, are still in the thick of the playoff race, sitting third in the West with a 48-31 record. However, they lost the opportunity to catch up with the second-placed Houston Rockets, as their loss to the Thunder dealt a significant blow to their postseason aspirations.
Offensive Fireworks and Doncic’s Ejection
Both teams showcased impressive offensive performances, with the first half ending with an 80-72 lead for the Thunder. The Lakers were enjoying their best moment when Doncic was ejected, but his departure sparked a 24-8 run by the Thunder, which ultimately sealed the victory.
The Thunder shot an impressive 50% from the field and 48% from beyond the arc (18 of 37). In addition to Gilgeous-Alexander’s 42 points, Jalen Williams contributed 26 points, and Luguentz Dort added 17. Former Laker Alex Caruso also made an impact off the bench, scoring 9 points and recording 3 steals.
The Lakers’ leading scorer was LeBron James, who recorded 28 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists, while Austin Reaves added 24 points.
Implications and Anticipation for Doncic’s Return to Dallas
The Lakers’ loss to the Thunder has significant implications for their playoff positioning, as they now have less than 24 hours to prepare for a highly anticipated matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, Doncic’s former team, on Wednesday. This will mark Doncic’s first return to Dallas since his trade to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis.
The Lakers’ playoff hopes remain alive, but they will need to regroup quickly and find a way to overcome the emotional and tactical challenges posed by Doncic’s homecoming and the Thunder’s dominant performance.
