Trying to end their four-game losing run, the Los Angeles Lakers wrapped up their road trip against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night.

Despite their struggles over the previous two seasons against the youthful Thunder, the Lakers managed to win this game 129-120 to snap their losing run.

In light of the team’s recent troubles, Darvin Ham decided to substitute Jarred Vanderbilt for D’Angelo Russell in the starting lineup. LeBron James was under increased pressure as the only ball handler with little shooting around him as a result, but the Lakers also gained additional defensive length.

Taurean Prince sank a three-pointer to give this lineup an early 11-9 lead, and Anthony Davis scored three baskets in a row.

The Laker defense was excellent, allowing them to go out in transition and give James some easy looks even though the Thunder were forcing some difficult shots early on.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the star of the Thunder, naturally got rolling offensively, getting a couple fouls on drives to the basket and then making a long 3-pointer. Rui Hachimura, for Los Angeles, was on fire right out of the bench, scoring two points, a triple, and a midrange jumper. The first quarter was exciting, as the Thunder were ahead 39–36.

D’Angelo Russell started the second quarter with eight straight points for the Lakers, demonstrating that he was still having an impact even after moving to the bench. After that, Prince added another three-pointer to put the Lakers ahead seven and force a Thunder timeout.

After the timeout, Chet Holmgren scored a basket to help his team regain momentum, and Jalen Williams followed with a three-pointer.

All things considered, though, the Lakers performed admirably in holding onto their lead during the second quarter, leading 71-59 into the locker room at the half.

In the third quarter, James came out firing, converting several free throws and then nailing a three to increase the advantage to fourteen.

After then, the Lakers’ offense picked more steam, with Hachimura and James each making more long-range jumpers and Davis capping a slam to put the score at 90-70.

From there, Reaves entered the game, making consecutive three-pointers, including a four-point play. Despite this, the Thunder finished the quarter strongly and managed to stay in the game by reducing their deficit to 107-91 entering the fourth quarter.

With Holmgren making a long-range shot in the fourth quarter, the Thunder run persisted. After that, he made a putback to bring his side within one before Davis hit a massive midrange jumper for Los Angeles.

LeBron took it from there, making a tonne of shots to finish with his first 40-ball of the year and shut out the Thunder.