LeBron James spoke in hushed tones as he repeatedly rubbed his watering eye.  Austin Reaves was fully slumped in his chair. 

For 48 minutes, they had been swarmed. They were completely depleted. 

“That’s a championship team right there,” said James after the Lakers’ 119-110 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday. “We’re not.”

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 9, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) NBAE via Getty Images

The Thunder, who have an average age of 25.6 years and the best defense in the league, took it out of James in a way nobody else has this season, including back-to-back efforts. 

“We can’t sustain energy and effort for 48 minutes,” said James, who had 22 points, six rebounds and 10 assists. “And they can. That’s why they won the championship.”

So how big is the gap between the team that has the fifth-best record in the West (the Lakers) and the team with the best record in the league (the Thunder)? 

Huge. 

Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles while being guarded by Cason Wallace #22 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half of an NBA game at Crypto.com Arena on February 9, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Terrell/Getty Images) Getty Images

Monday was a wake up call for the Lakers, who are trying to claw their way up the Western Conference standings. The Lakers are good. But when it comes to teams like Oklahoma City or San Antonio, their age shows. 

The juxtaposition between the Lakers’ and Thunder’s locker rooms was stunning. While the Lakers looked as though they had just survived something, the Thunder could’ve passed for not having played a game. 

They were laughing. Joking. One reporter went from player to player, teaching them another language as they practiced the words 

Meanwhile, James was so out of it that he felt the need to explain himself. 

“I’m tired,” James said after he finished talking to reporters. “No, I’m not sick. I’m just tired as f—. Sorry if I sound irritated but I’m 41. My [patience for] irritation is being very, very low as the days go on.”

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) argues with referee Josh Tiven (58) during the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

What’s interesting is the aftermath of the game revealed more than the game itself, which was a rock fight with 22 lead changes and 10 ties. With just one minute left, the Lakers only trailed the Thunder by three points (113-110) before Jalen Williams went on a 6-0 run. 

But if these teams met in the playoffs, there’s just no way the Lakers could hang in a seven-game series. The Thunder could’ve easily played another 48 minutes, while the Lakers seemingly could barely lift themselves out of their chairs. 

The Thunder are the gold standard in the NBA. 

They’re the defending champs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the reigning MVP and Finals MVP. (He didn’t play Monday because of an abdominal strain, and neither did Luka Doncic, who was sidelined with a strained calf). 

But still, the Thunder left the Lakers shell-shocked. Oklahoma City doesn’t just have the best defense in the league, they have one of the best defenses in modern NBA history. 

Lu Dort is elite one-on-one. Cason Wallace is nearly impossible to get past. Alex Caruso is an energizer bunny with the IQ of an elephant. Williams is a menace. 

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 9, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) NBAE via Getty Images

It left the Lakers dizzied. 

There’s so much contact. So much physicality. James was able to force his way through it. But it left him completely worn out. Same with Reaves.

If this was a measuring stick game for the Lakers, the results were clear: They simply can’t hang with the creme de la creme of the league. And that statement would’ve been true even if the Lakers had won Monday. 

There was no need to look at a box score to come to that conclusion. 

A simple peek in the locker room was far more revealing.