Dazzling Dennis Schroder stepped as much as the plate within the absence of superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, scoring a powerful 26 factors to propel the Los Angeles Lakers to a 123-117 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder Wednesday.
Also lacking D’Angelo Russell (sprained proper ankle), the Lakers wanted a balanced offensive effort, they usually received it to win for the fourth time in 5 video games.
Five different Lakers gamers scored in double figures, and 4 gamers hit not less than three 3-pointers, together with 4 from Troy Brown Jr.
James missed his second consecutive sport with a foot damage that’s anticipated to maintain him sidelined for a number of weeks.
Davis sat out with a stress damage in his proper foot. He sustained a fractured bone spur and stress response in that foot earlier this season and missed 20 video games.
Before the sport, Lakers coach Darvin Ham stated holding Davis out was “precautionary.”
Early, it seemed like Schroder’s night time could possibly be a brief one.
He turned his ankle badly within the first quarter however remained within the sport.
It wasn’t simply the ankle that gave Schroder issues early. He was simply 1 of seven from the ground within the first half, going into halftime with 4 factors.
But Schroder got here alive within the second half, scoring 10 factors within the third quarter and 12 extra within the fourth to assist raise the Lakers. Schroder went 7 of 11 from the ground within the second half.
Brown and Austin Reaves added 19 factors every for Los Angeles.
The Lakers jumped out to a giant lead early, main 28-16 late within the first earlier than the Thunder closed with a 14-3 run – which included a pair of Isaiah Joe 3-pointers – within the ultimate 2:28 to chop the deficit to at least one.
The Thunder have been with out All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the fourth consecutive sport with an stomach pressure. Gilgeous-Alexander additionally stays within the league’s well being and security protocol.
Kenrich Williams additionally missed the sport for Oklahoma City with a left wrist sprain.
The Thunder have misplaced 5 consecutive video games, tying their longest skid of the season.
Jalen Williams led Oklahoma City with 24 factors and chipped in seven assists, whereas Josh Giddey added 22 factors, 11 assists and 9 rebounds.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
