Seven-time NBA champion Robert Horry did not hold back after the Los Angeles Lakers were dismantled by the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, 121–92, on Wednesday night. His sharp critique centered on Lakers star Luka Dončić, whose shot selection he described as a glaring problem in the lopsided defeat.
The loss dropped the Lakers to 8–4 and highlighted the massive gap they must close if they hope to contend with the surging Thunder, who improved to a league-best 12–1.
Horry: Dončić Forced “Bad Shots” While Shai Got Clean Looks
Getty Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers is triple-teamed by Isaiah Joe, Jaylin Williams and Cason Wallace of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Dončić finished with a season-low 19 points on 7-of-20 shooting — his worst performance since arriving in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dominated the matchup, scoring 30 points in three quarters on an efficient 10-of-18 shooting.
Horry said the difference was not talent, but shot quality.
“If you put Luka’s shots side-by-side with Shai’s, they were essentially the same looks,” Horry said on Access Sportsnet Lakers. “The difference is that all of Luka’s shots were contested. That’s how good OKC is defensively.”
Horry, nicknamed “Big Shot Rob” for his clutch shots in the NBA Finals, noted that only one of Shai’s made shots was tightly contested.
“He used what Shaq would call some ‘feet work’ to get around the defender for a layup,” Horry added. “He’s elusive. Luka, meanwhile, is trying so hard to be that guy — but a lot of those are just bad shots. Three defenders on you? Move the ball.”
According to Horry, Dončić’s habit of forcing tough attempts has ripple effects on the Lakers’ offense.
“It seems like the whole team gets scared to shoot sometimes because they want to get the ball back to him,” the Lakers great said.
Horry warned that the physical toll of repeatedly taking difficult shots “wears you down as a player.”
Lakers Exposed by Thunder’s Physicality, Defense
Even without star guard Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City controlled the game from the opening tip. The Thunder dominated the Lakers in physicality, rebounding, and defensive pressure, building a lead as large as 37 points.
Los Angeles was again without LeBron James, who continues ramping up toward his season debut later this month while recovering from sciatic nerve irritation. But the Lakers did not use injuries as an excuse — and the Thunder were dealing with their own absences.
What was clear: Los Angeles was not prepared for the champions.
Dončić acknowledged the Thunder’s superior execution.
“They’re champions for a reason. They showed that today,” he said. “Obviously, it starts with me — I need to be way better.”
Dončić Pushes Back on Concern, Calls Loss “Motivation”
Despite his struggles, Dončić did not admit that his shot selection contributed to the collapse. Instead, he emphasized the lack of physicality in the game’s early moments that could have set the tone.
“Two things: physicality and energy,” he said. “When we start sloppy, it’s not going to be a great game.”
But while some viewed the blowout as a warning sign, Dončić framed it differently.
“I don’t think it’s a concern — I think it’s a big motivation,” he said. “They’re champions for a reason… it motivates you to see how they play and try to stop them.”
Thunder Deliver Statement; Lakers Face Immediate Test
The Thunder’s suffocating defense ended Dončić’s historic season start — and sent a message to the rest of the Western Conference.
For the Lakers, the road toughens quickly as they prepare for the New Orleans Pelicans next, still without James but now with deeper questions about their competitiveness against elite opponents.
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