Dennis Schröder leads star-less Lakers to gutsy win over Thunder

OKLAHOMA CITY — How much did it matter? Dennis Schröder was willing to bite down and take a beating to win.

Early in the first quarter, the 29-year-old took an ill-fated step on Isaiah Joe’s foot that twisted his left ankle and left him howling on the floor. But after picking himself up and retying his shoe, Schröder never even subbed out.

In the third quarter, the German guard picked up his shooting after a 1-for-7 start, then tumbled to the court when he felt Jalen Williams’ screen at his back, drawing a charge. In the fourth, he fell atop Joe, wrestling for a loose ball. Needing points in the final minute, Schröder drove into Lu Dort – a former teammate who is built more like a linebacker than a shooting guard – and drew his sixth and final foul, celebrating with a salsa shake even before he picked himself up off the court.

Schröder cares, maybe as much as anyone on the Lakers (30-33). It showed throughout a 123-117 victory over the Thunder (28-34) on Wednesday night, in a game he had called a “must-win” one night earlier. Without LeBron James, Anthony Davis or D’Angelo Russell, Schröder was the one to lead them there. He fouled out with 27 seconds left, with 26 points and six assists – but the Lakers had a lead that they wouldn’t surrender.

It came on a night when the Lakers decided to rest Davis on the second night of a back-to-back, itself a risk in a playoff chase that has so far seen them on the wrong side of the playoff cut. They managed to create more separation between themselves and the Thunder, who have sunk to 13th place.

The Lakers needed some over-the-top heroics from their rank and file. Rui Hachimura dazzled with a mid-fourth quarter blocked shot (one of three) and dashed to the other end for a layup from Malik Beasley. In the final four minutes, Troy Brown Jr., who scored a season-high 19 points, hit a turnaround jumper from the baseline. Austin Reaves, who paced the reserves with 19 points, sprinted off the dribble for a breathtaking reverse layup.

The defensive stops didn’t come as easily. Josh Giddey led the Thunder (without All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) with 22 points, penetrating with ease for his baskets, but also kicking to his shooters. The Lakers had to survive a 33-point OKC onslaught in the fourth quarter.

More to come on this story.

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