Lakers' best game of the season sends loud message to NBA

Sunday afternoon was, by far and away, the best game that the Los Angeles Lakers have played in the 2024-25 NBA season. They made a historically-great Oklahoma City Thunder team look like they did not belong on the same court. The Lakers whooped the Thunder in a dominant 126-99 victory for the purple and gold.

There were so many elements to this win that made it unbelievably impressive for the Lakers. It is hard to know where to begin. Quite frankly, there is no wrong answer in that equation. The important overall takeaway here is the Lakers displaying the ceiling of this group right ahead of the NBA Playoffs.

Lakers prove they can compete with anyone on their best day

Los Angeles looked like a team possessed in the first half of this ball game. They came out of the gates scorching the earth from beyond the arc. The Lakers knocked down 15 triples before the halftime break. It led to 78 points at the break. That was all done against the best defensive unit in basketball.

A lot of credit for the strong start is owed to Luka Doncic. The Lakers superstar was hunting switches, attacking his mismatches, and knocking down his opportunities, while also creating shots for others. Doncic had 22 points, including five 3-pointers, and five assists at the half.

That confidence stayed with him after the break. Doncic was looking at great defenders like Cason Wallace and Alex Caruso like they were players far below their actual stature on that end. Luka Magic was in full effect throughout the day as the Lakers guard finished the contest with 30 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and two steals.

"I think he relishes the challenge," JJ Redick told the media after the game was over. "You're gonna get the best defender every night. You're gonna get all the different coverages every night when you're him. ... Luka did some special things tonight."

The Lakers, feeding off that energy, delivered their best shooting performance of the campaign tonight. They finished with a season-high 22 3-point buckets.

There was effort was showcased on the defensive end too. Los Angeles held Oklahoma City under 100 points in this one. More impressively, every time that the Thunder had a bit of a run, and a little bit of momentum going, the Lakers responded accordingly.

What should not be lost in the shuffle here is that Los Angeles did this all on the road too. They will be right back on that court at Paycom Center on Tuesday night for a rematch.

"We gotta come out with the same mentality," Doncic said after the game. "They're number one in the West for a reason."

Two consecutive road games in Oklahoma City were always going to offer the Lakers an opportunity to prove themselves before the start of the postseason. They have certainly passed the first part of the test with an A+ grade.