05/03/2024
05/03/2024
LOS ANGELES, March 5, (AP): D’Angelo Russell hit five 3-pointers while scoring 26 points, and Anthony Davis added 24 points and 12 rebounds in the Los Angeles Lakers' 116-104 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
LeBron James had 19 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists in the Lakers' 10th victory in 14 games. Austin Reaves added 16 points while hitting four 3s for the Lakers, who won their third straight meeting with the Western Conference-leading Thunder to take the season series.
"They’re so well-coached that you can’t relax,” Russell said. "That team has got everything you need to win and to be efficient at this level. You’ve got to be ready to play against those guys. It’s no fluke (to beat them).”
In his first game since scoring his record 40,000th career point in a loss to Denver, James nearly got a triple-double before the Lakers’ big lead allowed him to sit out the final six minutes. Davis was able to sit out the entire fourth quarter when the Lakers hit six 3-pointers in quick succession during his absence, boosting their lead to 25 points.
Russell punctuated the Lakers' decisive rally by hitting 3-pointers on three consecutive possessions with increasing theatrics.
"My teammates find me when I’m hot,” Russell said. "It makes it easier when I can stretch the floor like that. That’s what shooting does. It’s a pleasure.”