Controversy over the officiating! The Lakers lost today to the league-leading Thunder, and also to three referees!

Today, the Lakers hosted the league-leading Thunder, with Alexander and Doncic out injured. The Lakers started with James, Smart, LaRavia, Hachimura, and Ayton, while the Thunder’s starters were Carson Wallace, Jewell, Dort, Holmgren, and Hartenstein.

At the start, the Thunder scored first, and the Lakers’ first basket was a three-pointer by LaRavia assisted by James.

The Thunder scored five straight points, while James’ first shot was a left-handed floater.

James assisted Smart for a three-pointer.

LaRavia had a great chance, even with Jewell on the floor, but the shot rimmed out.

Hachimura made a tough jump shot.

The buyout market’s star also showed up today.

Reeves returned, and Ayton dunked.

Reeves went one-on-one against Dort, showing superstar skills.

As James went to rest, Ayton scored with a hook shot. Both teams traded baskets, but after a turnover, Reeves also committed a foul.

Reeves assisted Hayes for an easy dunk, prompting a Thunder timeout.

Thunder hit a three, and Kennard responded with a three of his own!

Doncic looked pleased watching the game.

Reeves also completed a 2+1 play.

The Thunder kept hitting threes, tying the game at 24. James returned. The Thunder’s Joe hit another three, Caruso made a mid-range jumper, and Kennard took a one-on-one shot.

Hayes scored on a put-back, and on the last play, Reeves threw down a powerful dunk—an impressive highlight!

End of the first quarter, Lakers 30-31 Thunder. James had 2 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists; Reeves 9 points, 3 assists; Hachimura 2 points, 1 rebound; Ayton 4 points, 2 rebounds; LaRavia 3 points, 1 rebound; Smart 3 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist; Kennard 3 points; Hayes 4 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist.

In the second quarter, the Thunder scored first. James went one-on-one against Caruso, unstoppable.

Smart completed a 2+1 play, and Vanderbieb made a reverse layup to tie at 36.

After the Thunder went on a 7-0 run, the Lakers quickly called a timeout. The Lakers’ defense was lacking and turnovers piled up. The Thunder went on another 7-0 run, extending their lead to 14 points, forcing another Lakers timeout.

Smart broke the scoring drought with a 2+1.

Caruso made a layup, Ayton scored on a put-back, Hayes hit both free throws, Jewell made one of two free throws, Hachimura scored on a catch-and-layup, Reeves hit a three-pointer, then the Thunder called timeout.

After James returned, he threw down a flying dunk.

Kennard made a mid-range jumper.

The Thunder scored five straight points, but Hayes responded with a beautiful alley-oop dunk.

The Thunder made both free throws, and Kennard scored on a put-back.

At halftime, Lakers trailed Thunder 58-67. James had 8 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists; Reeves 12 points, 1 rebound, 6 assists; Hachimura 4 points, 4 rebounds; Smart 8 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists; Ayton 6 points, 4 rebounds; Hayes 8 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist; Kennard 7 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist; Vanderbieb 2 points, 1 rebound; LaRavia 3 points, 2 rebounds.

In the third quarter, the Thunder scored first, and Hachimura made a three-pointer.

James was fouled stealing the ball and made both free throws. The Thunder scored five straight points, Smart hit a three, LaRavia made both free throws, and James scored on a layup as the Lakers continued to close the gap.

James delivered a beautiful assist, bringing the Lakers within three points, forcing a Thunder timeout.

James aggressively drove to the basket, using his physical advantage.

Both teams exchanged free throws, and LaRavia scored six consecutive points.

The Thunder’s offense stalled, James was fouled and made both free throws, then hit a fadeaway jumper, scoring double digits in the quarter.

Ayton didn’t get the whistle, and the Lakers bench stood up in protest.

The Thunder scored five straight points, Hayes immediately converted a 2+0 play, prompting a timeout from the Thunder.

The Thunder tied the game at 87, but the officiating was clearly unfair, and Reeves received a technical foul.

The Thunder took a 1-point lead, Reeves made both free throws, Caruso hit a three, and the Lakers trailed by two entering the fourth quarter.

In the final quarter, Smart opened with a three-pointer, but a foul was called on Vanderbieb, prompting the Lakers to challenge the call and win.

Caruso made a layup, Ayton missed both free throws, Caruso hit a three, and Smart answered with a score.

Caruso missed both free throws again, and the referees called the Lakers for an early lane violation on the second free throw—remarkable officiating.

James missed both free throws, and the referees awarded possession to the Thunder. The Lakers were shocked and successfully challenged the call. Today’s referees were clearly biased.

While James rested, Reeves scored on a free throw line jumper.

Hartenstein dunked, and James returned after less than two minutes. The Thunder scored on a layup, LaRavia missed two open threes, and the Thunder kept scoring while James scored inside.

Jewell scored, Reeves committed a turnover, and the Lakers called a timeout.

Slow-motion replay showed the Thunder had a ball out of bounds that the referees missed.

The Thunder made a three-pointer, Hayes was fouled on a small foul, the Thunder challenged the call but failed.

Hachimura hit a three, Smart scored on a floater, the Thunder scored inside, and James threw down a powerful dunk.

Chet dunked, and Hachimura made a layup.

The Thunder made a mid-range shot, James barely missed a three, Jewell made both free throws, and the Lakers trailed by seven with 36 seconds left. Reeves’ three-point attempt missed—unfortunate.

The Lakers couldn’t mount a comeback and lost 110-119 to the Thunder. James finished with 22 points, 6 rebounds, 10 assists, and 1 steal; Reeves had 16 points, 2 rebounds, 7 assists; Hachimura scored 12 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists; Ayton had 6 points, 10 rebounds; LaRavia contributed 14 points, 4 rebounds; Smart added 19 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals; Kennard scored 7 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist; Vanderbieb had 2 points, 2 rebounds; Hayes finished with 12 points, 4 rebounds.

Team statistics: