Unlike the blowout loss in Atlanta last Saturday, it appeared the Lakers were at least mentally prepared to compete against the league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday. The problem in the 121-92 loss was that they simply could not keep up. Reigning most valuable player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 30 points on 10 for 18 shooting with nine assists. The Lakers' own MVP hopeful Luka Doncic had 19 points, making just seven of 20 shots with seven assists and four turnovers.
Doncic matched his career high for steals in a regular-season game Wednesday. The guard averaging 40 points per game claimed his defense was the only thing he did well on a night when he finished one rebound short of a triple-double. While collecting 35 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds, he was an inefficient nine-for-27 from the field and four-for-11 from three.
A frustrated Ja Morant told reporters to "go ask the coaching staff" about his struggles during the Memphis Grizzlies' 117-112 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night. Morant was held to a season-low eight points, going 3-of-14 from the field, and seven assists. Asked about what he noticed in the game, Morant was again terse. "According to them, probably don't play me, honestly," Morant said. "That's basically what the message was. It's cool."