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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 25: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts for a LA Clippers foul during the first half at Crypto.com Arena on November 25, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers continue to fly high in the final stage of the regular season.
L.A. executed an impressive blowout victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night.
Lakers star Luka Doncic dazzled once again, scoring 43 points on 50% shooting from the floor and the 3-point line. Doncic connected on a game-high six 3-pointers while basking in the noise of the cheering crowd after each make.
The win gave Los Angeles 50 wins for the second year in a row. It is the first time since the 2010-11 campaign that the Lakers have recorded a 50-win season.
The team is clicking at the right time. With the multiple high stakes matchups on the horizon as the playoff race heats up, the Lakers appear prepared to be a threat to anyone.
Thursday’s primetime tilt against the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder will be one many NBA fans will get up for.
Los Angeles Lakers star discusses the defending champs ahead of big game
The Lakers have been riding the hot hand of Doncic since mid-February.
L.A. has won 17 of 22 games Feb. 15. Doncic has averaged 35.8 points, 7.7 rebounds and 7.8 assists over that stretch as he’s mounted serious momentum in the Kia NBA MVP Race.
However, the Thunder have been even better in that time, and they even have a player that has been playing as well, if not better, than Doncic.
Oklahoma City, winners of 15 out of its last 16 contests, remain the West’s top seed despite numerous injuries earlier in the year. Superstar point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is still seated as the MVP favorite.
For that and so many more reasons, Lakers guard Austin Reaves senses the hype surrounding Thursday’s inner-conference matchup.
“Very exciting [matchup],” Reaves, who contributed 19 points and four assists in Tuesday’s win, said. “Obviously they’re the defending champs. Playing at a high level, obviously one of the best teams in the league, if not the best team. And we have an opportunity to go into OKC and battle them.”
Lakers met with opportunity to make strong late-season statement
For as well as Los Angeles has looked the last two months, nothing would mean more than beating Oklahoma City.
The Lakers are 0-2 in the season series so far, with one of the two losses being a 29-point blowout.
When the two teams last met on Feb. 9, neither was at full strength. In the first matchup of the season, L.A. was without LeBron James while OKC was without Jalen Williams.
Both clubs are expected to be at full strength for tomorrow’s clash. The game will have serious implications in the playoff race.
The Lakers are trying to hold off several teams biting at the third-seed; the Thunder, meanwhile, are fighting off the San Antonio Spurs for the best record in the NBA.
In addition to the postseason ramifications Thursday’s game has, Doncic and Gilgeous-Alexander will go toe-to-toe amid a tight MVP race.
GettyShai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrates.
Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP and Finals MVP, has been the favorite to repeat all season. Doncic has climbed his way into the race over recent weeks. Tomorrow’s game may sway some voters one way or the other.
Both guards erupted in March. Gilgeous-Alexander rattled off several memorable clutch performances to go along with his incredible averages, particularly the nearly 57% shooting from the field.
Doncic has recorded a 5o and 60-point game and joined only Michael Jordan as the only players to accumulate 600 total points in a single month.
The Thunder lost just one game in all of March, but the Lakers are playing with major confidence.
Tomorrow’s game should be a treat for fans.
Adel Ahmad Adel is a writer with over five years of experience covering the NBA. His work has appeared on various media platforms, both national and local. More about Adel Ahmad
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