The Lakers suffer another collapse as the same costly flaws are exposed

The Lakers’ season is starting to feel increasingly bleak for a team that set its expectations sky‑high but keeps falling flat whenever it’s time to deliver. Against the league’s elite, Los Angeles has crashed too many times already. And there’s no bigger test right now than the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The defending champions already blew them out in the NBA In‑Season Tournament quarterfinals. Tonight wasn’t a humiliation, but it was another loss — and another reminder of the recurring patterns that make it hard to take the Lakers seriously as true title contenders.

Lakers fade in the 4Q

Los Angeles fell 119–110 in a game largely controlled by the Thunder, though the Lakers had every chance to steal it late. Instead, they unraveled in the fourth quarter: Jake LaRavia missed three straight open threes, Deandre Ayton had multiple rebounds ripped out of his hands under the rim, and Austin Reaves — still on a minutes restriction — committed two costly turnovers. All of it happened with the game still up for grabs.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Jalen Williams returned from a 10‑game absence and dropped 15 of his 23 points in the second half, including several clutch buckets down the stretch.

With Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander sidelined until after the All‑Star break due to an abdominal issue, Williams stepped into the lead role and handled it brilliantly. It helped that the Lakers’ defense — one of their biggest weaknesses this season — once again fell apart. Their three‑point shooting didn’t help either, finishing at just 32.3%. Luke Kennard, the team’s lone trade‑deadline addition and one of the league’s top shooters, checked in for LaRavia in the final minutes but didn’t attempt a single three (he went 1‑for‑2 overall).

Luka Doncic also sat out, missing his second straight game with a thigh issue, and there’s still no timetable for his return. LeBron James tried to take over in his absence, scoring 14 of his 22 points in the second half, but the Lakers’ late‑game decision‑making made it painfully obvious they were missing their star playmaker.

Los Angeles now sits at 14–9 at home — far from impressive and not nearly good enough for a team hoping to secure home‑court advantage in the playoffs.

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