Luka Doncic Hobbles Off Injured As Oklahoma City Thunder Crush Los Angeles Lakers

Last Updated:April 03, 2026, 10:30 IST

Thunder crush Lakers 139-96, MVP contender Luka Doncic exits with left hamstring injury, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander posts 28 as West leading OKC move to 61-16

NBA: Luka Doncic got injured as Oklahoma City Thunder routed Los Angeles Lakers 139-96 (AP)

The NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder routed the Los Angeles Lakers 139-96 on Thursday in a blowout made even more painful by the early exit of injured Lakers star Luka Doncic.

The highly anticipated showdown between Most Valuable Player contenders Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Doncic fizzled long before Doncic limped off midway through the third quarter with a left hamstring injury.

Doncic, who entered the game leading the league in scoring with 33.8 points per game — just ahead of Gilgeous-Alexander’s 31.6 — was visibly emotional as he hobbled toward the sideline.

Big Injury For Lakers

Moments earlier, he had pulled up in apparent pain while driving to the basket.

The Slovenian, who had scored 40 or more points in each of his last three games and in five of his last seven, will undergo an MRI scan on Friday, Lakers coach JJ Redick said.

It was a brutal reality check for the Lakers, who had won four straight and 13 of their last 14 games as they try to cement their hold on the third seed in the West with the playoffs starting on April 18.

Reigning MVP Gilgeous-Alexander took some time to find his offensive rhythm, but his Oklahoma City teammates stepped up as the Thunder stormed to a 44-21 lead after one quarter.

Thunder guard Luguentz Dort went four-of-four from three-point range on his way to 14 points in the opening frame, and Oklahoma City harried the Lakers into eight first-quarter turnovers that led to 14 Thunder points.

“The turnovers, obviously, they killed us,” Redick said.

There was no let-up after that, as OKC dominated at both ends of the floor and built an 82-51 halftime lead.

Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 28 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, while Isaiah Joe added 20 points off the bench for the Thunder, the Western Conference leaders, who improved their league-best record to 61-16.

Austin Reaves led the Lakers with 15 points despite dealing with back pain, and LeBron James added 13 in 26 minutes.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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