The Lakers hold a different version of the truth than the one that is true.

The fourth and penultimate game of a journey that lasted less than a week was played against the Thunder on Thursday, but it felt much longer because of the way their eyelids hung heavy and their bones creaked.

With the 133-110 loss, the team’s trip total was.500, which is considered a success for any NBA trip. It would be difficult, though, to classify this as a success after being thrashed in Philadelphia and dominated by the Thunder.

Then there are the vibes, the flawless ones that started in Cleveland that gave way to obvious dissatisfaction against the Thunder and open frustration in Philadelphia.

If there is any lesson to be learned, it is this: the Lakers have been competitive in more than half of their 20 games. However, they haven’t always been excellent.

The team stated on Thursday that their ailments make them difficult to evaluate.

“I’m not sure what we are,” remarked LeBron James. “How?” As of yet, we lack a group. We don’t yet have a group as a team, but I am aware of who some of us are on an individual basis. I’m not sure.

The Lakers never consistently got stops against a team that played faster and tougher, despite the fact that Anthony Davis had 31 points and 14 rebounds, LeBron James scored 21 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists, and D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves combined for 30 points.

James remarked, “I thought we played really good ball [in] our first quarter.” “But after that, especially against a young team like OKC, you could see the three in four nights, the back-to-back, and the bodies that we don’t have start to wear on us.”

On Thursday, the second night of a back-to-back, they had moments.

Russell probed the defense, Davis targeted Thunder rookie Chet Holmgren right away, and the Lakers opened up a double-digit lead.

But the game abruptly changed, either due to exhaustion or issues that have cropped up regularly this year.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was too much for the Lakers to contain, and Cam Reddish was sidelined for one game following his comeback from a groin ailment. Additionally, neither Jarred Vanderbilt—who is rapidly approaching his season debut—nor Rui Hachimura—who was recently fitted with a protective mask—were available on Thursday, despite coach Darvin Ham’s favorable assessment of both players.

Jaxson Hayes was unable to attend as well due to an elbow injury he sustained on Wednesday.

With limited resources, James was unable to cross the midcourt line during several plays, causing the Lakers to lose ground both in transition and on the glass.

With the help of 10 free throws, Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 33 points, more than any other Thunder starter with at least 12 points.

Every back-to-back is difficult. particularly when you’re facing a youthful, gifted team like OKC, who excelled at shooting tonight,” Reaves remarked. They approach the game correctly. They have good coaching. They also compete with each other. It’s going to be difficult for you to scramble more than normal and make several defensive efforts. That isn’t an excuse, though. We must improve.

On this trip, they gave up 133 points against the Thunder and let Philadelphia score 138, their two worst games in terms of points allowed.

Due to the mid-season tournament, the Lakers’ schedule slightly changes the following week. They face the Rockets on Saturday and then host Phoenix in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.

The Lakers, who left Oklahoma City eager to return to Los Angeles to reenergize and take a step toward improving their health, have rarely had it so easy. They’ve been difficult to assess, but they’re not in a panic.

We are, after all, above 500. We’re 11–9, and our group has never been the same,” James remarked. “That is quite remarkable.”