LOS ANGELES — As the haze of Super Bowl Sunday wore off, it was time to get right back to Lakers basketball on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena.

This week kicked off with a visit from the defending NBA Champion Oklahoma City Thunder. Although they would be without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander due to an abdominal injury, this Thunder team is still dangerous and can run away with a game within a few quick runs. Unfortunately for the Lakers, that is exactly what happened on Monday night.

The Lakers went without Luka Dončić for a second straight game due to left hamstring strain while DeAndre Ayton was upgraded to available after missing the previous game with right knee soreness. With All-Star week underway, the Lakers have a packed schedule of important games before they can take a few days off as they face the Spurs and Mavericks Tuesday and Thursday. This game was just as important and very winnable for Los Angeles.

Turnovers had been at the center of concern as of later for the Lakers. It continued to hurt them in the first half. What truly helped them stay in this game was that the Thunder were also giving up turnovers. After going into halftime down 67-58, the mood in the arena was rather somber as opposed to previous games. With both teams making their way to their respective locker rooms, the hope from fans at Crypto.com Arena was that this did not get out of hand in the second half and that the Lakers would comeback to take this one away from the Thunder.

Immediately, the energy began to shirt in the third quarter as the team came back reinvigorated, outscoring the Thunder 33-26 and bringing the game to within 1, 92-91. Big three pointers by Marcus Smart, Jake LaRavia and Rui Hachimura had helped this team take a healthy leap ahead of the Thunder, at one point taking an eight point lead.

The arena suddenly had come alive again in the third quarter and the crowd felt ready to assist their team will their way to a win.

Austin Reaves picked up a technical foul with 2:13 to go in the third quarter and Jaylin Williams had brought the Thunder right back into it after hitting two from three point land. Just when the Thunder looked like they may be losing a bit of steam, the energy once again had shifted in their favor as they took a 93-91 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Despite a few frustrating moments with the officiating in the second half, the fourth quarter was a tight race between these two teams. That was up until the final three minutes in the quarter where the Thunder had once again regained control with a five point lead. Rui Hachimura gave the Lakers one final push in the stretch by hitting a shot from beyond the arc but ultimately, the Lakers defense was unable to get any stops on the Thunder which led to Monday night’s loss.

The Lakers will have little time to dwell on this loss as they return to the floor tonight against San Antonio on the second night of a back-to-back.

They will have to do it without Luka Dončić, LeBron James, Austin Reaves, and Marcus Smart as they have all been listed as OUT ahead of tonight’s game. The Dallas Mavericks will also be in town on Thursday night before heading into the All-Star break.

Notable Stats of the Night:

LeBron James: 22 points, 6 rebounds, 10 assists

Marcus Smart: 19 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists

Austin Reaves: 16 points, 2 rebounds, 7 assists

Jalen Williams: 23 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist

Isaiah Joe: 19 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists

Alex Caruso: 17 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists

Upcoming Game for the Lakers:

Los Angeles Lakers (32-20) vs San Antonio Spurs (36-16)

Date: Feb. 10, 2026

Location: Crypto.com Arena

Tip-Off: 7:30PM PST/ 10:30PM EST