Lakers’ chance to advance in NBA Cup slim after bruising loss to the Thunder

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Lakers forward LeBron James attempts a layup against the Thunder’s Isaiah Hartenstein, left, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander during the first half Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

The logic inside some corners of the Lakers locker room last season was that the best path to the NBA Finals wouldn’t run through Denver, but instead through Oklahoma City — the team tied with the Nuggets for the West’s best record.

Denver was too big, too physical and had dominated the Lakers. And the Thunder had not.

The Lakers had won three in a row against the Thunder, staring down their youth, speed and athleticism with wisdom and force. It gave the Lakers an edge and the belief that if they met Oklahoma City in the playoffs, they were the tougher team.

A lot can change in a season.

“They’ve taken a jump but they’re also missing a big piece too,” LeBron James said, citing injured big man Chet Holmgren and guard Alex Caruso. “So, they’ll make another jump. But a really good team. Well coached.”

Friday in the final game of their NBA Cup pool play, the Lakers hosted the Thunder and felt Oklahoma City’s newfound force in a bruising 99-93 loss that left L.A. beaten up and almost certainly out of the tournament’s next stage.

Cup play and final tiebreak scenarios will be completed next week, but with two losses and negative point differential, the Lakers’ chances to advance are slim.

The Lakers found out Friday that when you absorb so much physicality, there’s a mental cost to be paid as well.

Max Christie fouled Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on a drive to the basket in the final 24 seconds, grabbing him as if the Lakers had a foul to give. They did not, and Gilgeous-Alexander sank a pair of free throws to put Oklahoma City ahead.

“I knew the time and score of the game, but I didn’t realize they were in the bonus,” the 21-year-old guard said. “And I should have known because they were in the bonus for the last three or four minutes. So yeah, that’s a mental error on my part, and I take responsibility for that.”

After a timeout, the Lakers couldn’t … Read More