Where the Lakers place in current NBA Cup standings after loss to Oklahoma
The Los Angeles Lakers’ path to the knockout stage of the Emirates NBA Cup became even tougher after a 101-93 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night. This was the Lakers’ final game of group play, and the defeat dropped their record to 2-2 in Group B of the Western Conference.
The Thunder controlled the game’s pace, forcing the Lakers into an unusually slow and ineffective offensive rhythm. As a result, Los Angeles now finds itself on the brink of elimination from the tournament.
Group B Standings After Friday
- San Antonio Spurs: 2-1, +14 point differential, 353 total points
- Oklahoma City Thunder: 2-1, +18 point differential, 304 total points
- Phoenix Suns: 2-1, +19 point differential, 330 total points
- Los Angeles Lakers: 2-2, -24 point differential, 437 total points
- Utah Jazz: 0-3, -27 point differential, 345 total points
What’s Next for the Lakers?
The Lakers’ only chance of advancing to the knockout stage is by securing the lone wild-card spot from the Western Conference. To qualify, they must finish second in Group B and have the best record among all second-place teams in the West.
However, their large negative point differential (-24) puts them at a severe disadvantage. With only one game left for other Group B teams, it’s unlikely the Lakers can leapfrog their competition, as teams like the Suns and Thunder have superior point differentials.
The Lakers now face the daunting reality of falling short in a competition they once hoped to contend for, underscoring the importance of consistency in the NBA Cup format
