02/09/26 11:59:00
Printable Page
02/09 23:54 CST Jalen Williams returns from injury, leads Thunder past Lakers
119-110 with SGA, Luka sidelined
Jalen Williams returns from injury, leads Thunder past Lakers 119-110 with SGA,
Luka sidelined
By GREG BEACHAM
AP Sports Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) --- Jalen Williams scored 15 of his 23 points in the second
half of his return from a 10-game injury absence, and the Oklahoma City Thunder
snapped their two-game skid with a 119-110 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers
on Monday night.
Reigning league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and current NBA scoring leader Luka
Doncic both sat out due to injuries, leaving their supporting casts to play a
Thunder-style physical game featuring 52 combined free throws.
LeBron James scored 14 of his 22 points in the second half for the Lakers,
whose three-game winning streak ended with another ineffective defensive
performance.
Jalen Williams, who had been out with a hamstring strain, and Jaylin Williams
both hit big jumpers while the Thunder broke open a close game down the
stretch. Chet Holmgren added a key put-back dunk with 1:17 to play for the
NBA-leading Thunder, who had lost three of five.
Isaiah Joe scored 19 points and Alex Caruso added 17 from Oklahoma City's
bench. Holmgren had 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Marcus Smart scored 19 points and Austin Reaves had 16 on a minutes restriction
for Los Angeles, which dropped to a pedestrian 14-9 at home.
Jared McCain scored on his first two possessions and finished with seven points
in his second game for the Thunder, who acquired the guard from Philadelphia by
trade last week.
Gilgeous-Alexander's abdominal injury will keep him out through the All-Star
Game this weekend in Inglewood, California. The Lakers haven't determined how
long they'll be without Doncic, who missed his second straight game with a mild
hamstring strain.
Up next
Thunder: At Phoenix on Wednesday.
Lakers: Host San Antonio on Wednesday.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
|
