LeBron James, Lakers Disappoint Fans with Loss to SGA, Thunder After Luka Ejection

The Los Angeles Lakers looked like they might just beat the Oklahoma City Thunder for the second time in three days on Tuesday, and clinch an automatic playoff berth in the process.

And then Luka Dončić was ejected.

The Lakers had a 108-107 lead with 7:40 remaining in the fourth quarter when Dončić was hit with his second technical foul. From there, the Thunder went on a 29-12 run to end the game and ultimately came away with a 136-120 victory.

Dončić was having a strong game, with 23 points and five assists, before his controversial ejection. LeBron James added 28 points, seven boards and three assists in the loss.

MVP frontrunner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continued his fantastic season, meanwhile, pacing the Thunder with 42 points, six rebounds and six assists. If it weren't for Dončić's ejection, SGA would have been the main story.

But after the game, it was Lakers fans and pundits alike lamenting an opportunity missed for Los Angeles:

And as for the Thunder, well... ho hum, just another dominant victory in the end:

While Lakers' fans will have their gripes with how the game was officiated, the Lakers had a massive 37-20 advantage in free throws. They also finished with 18 turnovers, compared to just six for the Thunder. And falling apart late in the game, with or without Luka, was a bad look.

Even with the loss, the Lakers (48-31) remain temporarily in place as the No. 3 seed. The Thunder, now 65-14, wrapped up the top overall seed awhile ago.

One thing is for certain—after this week, any NBA fan would love to see a matchup between these two teams. A Thunder-Lakers series would bring the heat.