Thunder thrash Lakers as Doncic hurt

LOS ANGELES, United States — The reigning NBA champions Oklahoma City Thunder embarrassed the Los Angeles Lakers, 139-96, on Thursday (Friday Manila time) in a blowout made more painful by the early exit of injured Lakers star Luka Doncic.

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

Doncic, who came into the contest leading the league in scoring with 33.8 points per game — ahead of Gilgeous-Alexander's 31.6 — was emotional as he hobbled toward the sideline.

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 five of his last seven, will have 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 and are trying 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 roared to a 44-21 lead through one quarter.

Thunder guard Luguentz Dort went four-of-four from the 3-point line on the way to 14 points in the opening frame, and Oklahoma City harried the Lakers into eight first-quarter turnovers leading to 14 Thunder points.

"The turnovers, obviously, they killed us," Redick said.

There was no let-up after that, OKC dominating on both ends of the floor as they built an 82-51 halftime lead.

Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 28 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, 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 struggling with back pain himself, and LeBron James added 13 in 26 minutes.