Jeremy Lin had another impressive game, but the Los Angeles Lakers took another blow with a 108-101 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night at Staples Center.
Lin, who averaged 16.3 points in their last four games, racked up 20 points on 7-for-14 shooting from the field. The 26-year-old point guard also added eight assists, six rebounds and three steals, but it was not enough to lead the Lakers to their 17th win of the season.
Playing without superstars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, Serge Ibaka stepped up for the Thunder as he finished with 18 points to go along with 14 rebounds and three blocks, helping Oklahoma City stay eighth in the Western Conference standings with their 33-27 record.
"It's discouraging, but it's not like we were at full force," Lin said of losing to an undermanned Thunder squad via ESPN. "I mean, we've been down without Kobe for a long, long time, and Nick was hurt. This was one where we felt like it was a winnable game, but they played well."
Newcomers Enes Kanter and D.J. Augustin also had an impressive game for the Thunder. Kanter finished with 16 points and 15 rebounds, while Augustin added 18 points to go along with nine rebounds and five assists.
Lin, who is playing in the final year of his contract with the Lakers, has now averaged 17.0 points to go along with 5.0 assists and 2.8 rebounds in their last five games. Lakers head coach Byron Scott said last week that Lin could start again for the team at some point this week.
Augustin, who was acquired by the Thunder in the trade that sent Reggie Jackson to the Detroit Pistons before the deadline, managed to put things under control despite missing Westbrook, who recorded triple-doubles in their last three games before undergoing surgery on his right cheek.
"We fought hard and still made a push at it, but just came up short," said Lakers guard Wayne Ellington. "They didn't have K.D. and they didn't have Russ, so it was time for other guys to step up for them. I think D.J. did a great job for them and sparked them early."
Jordan Hill also had a productive night off the bench with 13 points and 12 rebounds in 29 minutes. Ellington and rookie point guard Jordan Clarkson added 12 points apiece, while Ryan Kelly posted 11 points for the Lakers, who are still in 14th place in the Western Conference standings with their 16-42 record.
