LeBron James and Anthony Davis disappoint fans in loss to SGA, Thunder in NBA Cup | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

LeBron James and Anthony Davis failed to impress in a 101-93 loss to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night in the NBA Cup.

While the game was close for four quarters, Gilgeous-Alexander essentially put the nail in the coffin with a three-pointer that put the Thunder up 95-91 with just under two minutes to play.

The game between the Lakers and Thunder on Friday took place in West Group B of the NBA Cup. The Lakers entered the game tied for first along with three other teams and held a record of 2-1. Meanwhile, the Thunder were half a game behind with a 1-1 deficit.

Gilgeous-Alexander carried the Thunder on Friday without Chet Holmgren, who is out with a hip fracture.

The star point guard scored 36 points, six rebounds, nine assists, two steals and one block in 37 minutes on the floor. Jalen Williams, OKC’s 2022 first-round pick, was also brilliant, finishing the win with 19 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals.

James, Davis and the Lakers couldn’t keep up with the play of Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams, although it didn’t help that a key starter – Austin Reaves – missed some time with an apparent injury and didn’t return until the third quarter.

James finished the game with just 12 points remaining, along with eight rebounds and six assists in 33 minutes. Davis, meanwhile, posted 15 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and four blocks in 38 minutes.

Fans criticized James and Davis for a tough first half that continued into the third quarter and beyond: