Effort was far from the missing ingredient Monday night as Oklahoma City nearly pulled off its biggest win of the season.
The Thunder battled wall-to-wall with the defending champion Lakers, falling 119-112 in overtime at Staples Center.
Three players finished with 20 points for OKC, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s game-high 29. SGA drilled three free throws with :01 remaining, forcing the extra five minutes before L.A. ultimately pulled away.
Oklahoma City battled against arguably the league’s best and took them to the wire with just eight available players. Seven played at least 27 minutes, including three over 40.