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LeBron James Sends Defiant Message After Blowout Loss to Thunder

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Apr 3, 2026 7:58 AM ET

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James was understandably unhappy after his team suffered its worst loss of the season. The defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder steamrolled the Lakers 139-96 at Paycom Center on Thursday.

The Lakers had no answer for reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who posted a complete game of 28 points, seven rebounds and seven assists on 12-of-25 shooting. Isaiah Joe poured fuel on the fire from deep, adding 20 points on six three-pointers.

On the other side, everything went wrong for Los Angeles.

Austin Reaves tweaked his back in the first quarter but returned and finished the game. Luka Doncic exited with a hamstring injury in the third quarter and did not return.

James addressed the loss after the game, choosing to look ahead.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James reacts to scoring a basket against the Houston Rockets.Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

James and the Lakers could not contain OKC's red-hot offense. The Thunder shot a blistering 53.9% from the field. The avalanche came early and never stopped, leaving the visiting team with no path back.

James was limited to just seven shot attempts on the night. He finished with modest numbers of 13 points on 3-of-7 shooting, six rebounds and two assists across 26 minutes.

Hobbled by a back injury, Reaves still led the Lakers with 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting, going 2-of-3 from three with four rebounds.

James met with reporters after the difficult loss. He praised the team's mental resolve while also crediting the Thunder. The 41-year-old's response was defiant yet poetic.

"No, nothing has changed. We still will be [together]," James said, per ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "Obviously, we'll be tested with the head of the snake [missing] … But nothing is rattled. It's one game, it's part of the NBA season, it's the defending champions."

LeBron James on if tonight will test LAL’s camaraderie: “No, nothing has changed. We still will be [together]. Obviously we’ll be tested with the head of the snake [missing] … But nothing is rattled. It's one game, it's part of the NBA season, it's the defending champions.”
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 3, 2026