The NBA Cup between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder had high stakes. Both teams on the brink of possible elimination treated it as a must-win. However, it wasn’t just them that let their will take over. Even the referees seemed to understand the magnitude of the matchup and allowed the atmosphere in Crypto.com Arena to intensify. Both LeBron James and the Lakers, as well as the Thunder, displayed suffocating defense and immense passion in their play.

The physicality was comparable to a postseason game. And the game had its incidents. While courageously blocking a shot, Isaiah Hartenstein took a tumble. Later. even Austin Reaves had a scary fall on his back. It needed him to briefly stay in the locker room and recoup before re-entering the game.

The incident did stir controversy. Fans felt Hartenstein, who attempted to block Reaves, deserved a technical at least. On the other hand, the officials disagreed, calling him only for a normal foul. Likewise, reporters wanted LeBron James’ perspective on the same. And despite seeing Reaves nearly suffer a gruesome injury, the Akron Hammer didn’t mind the freedom provided by the referees.

“No big deal to me honestly. I like it when the game is played that way,” he told the media. Having come off a similar style of play in Paris, the 39-year-old has previously admitted to feeling recharged playing “meaningful” basketball. And after tonight, he has a wish that he relayed to Adam Silver. “I wish it was more regular season games allowed to play that way,” LeBron James said.

There is always a possibility that James tried to avoid paying a hefty sum for admonishing the officials. Players have done so openly in the past. Even coaches as a matter of fact, with Rivers getting a $25,000 fine. However, LeBron James didn’t seem to be upset or cloaking his true emotions. He has never tried to speak against officials, rather just adapt to the surroundings on the given day.

LeBron James and Anthony Davis’ lack of involvement may have cost the Lakers

Tonight’s loss proved the Lakers are beginning to lose the strong leverage they had. Until three home games ago, they had won all seven games at the Crypto.com Arena. Tonight was their third straight in their own confines, a mark of big concern for JJ Redick and the coaching staff.

But tonight, the loss had a lot to do with the struggles of their two premier stars. Anthony Davis, playing at an MVP caliber was only allowed to shoot the ball nine times. The Thunder, knowing his influence did their all to prevent him from getting the ball. It left the load on LeBron James who could only score 12 points on what was a difficult night for the four-time NBA champion.

OKC’s insufferable pick-and-roll defense forced several reckless turnovers from the Lakers, five of which came from James. The star tandem combined for just 27 points, less than SGA’s solo tally for the night. In a game that is separated by great defense on both sides, it’s almost essential for the A-Listers to find a way out.

The Thunder had great depth, initially riding through Jalen Williams. In that time Gilgeous-Alexander wasn’t shooting the ball with great precision. However, once he smelled nylon on a few consecutive possessions, the tempo changed quickly. There are several takeaways for Redick to extract from this game.

Offensively, the Lakers committed too many turnovers that cost easy points for the Thunder. They got outscored by 15 through those mistakes, virtually sealing the win for OKC. Additionally, they lacked the tenacity, also getting outscored in second-chance points. There were surely good things to look at such as the Lakers’ defensive improvement.

But to vanquish great teams, the need for consistency on both ends of the floor is loud.