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“They know who they are”: LeBron James sends clear message after Los Angeles Lakers’ victory over Oklahoma City Thunder | NBA News – The Times of India

Published

3 weeks ago

April 6, 2025

Alex Caruso, Chet Holmgren and LeBron James. Image via: Nate Billings/ AP

LeBron James did not hold back cheering for the Los Angeles Lakers’ powerful performances on April 6. The Lakers made a bold statement Sunday night by dominating the league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder in a stunning 126–99 win. The Lakers controlled the game from start to finish. Luka Doncic played a huge role in the blowout, showing why he remains one of the most dangerous offensive threats in the league.

LeBron James boldly shared his thoughts after defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder

The Los Angeles Lakers gave the Oklahoma City Thunder a heavy blow at their home court, Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. LeBron James offered thoughtful insight into the team’s mindset while acknowledging that the Lakers are still a work in progress. “They know who they are… We’re still trying to figure it out,” James told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “We understand that coming down the stretch we have to play some really good basketball, but we’re still working our habits.”

James, who has taken a larger leadership role both on and off the court, also shared a quick postgame plan. “We got that dub out the way, now I’m going to go shoot Mind the Game with Steve Nash,” he said with a grin.
With playoff intensity already creeping in, the Lakers seem focused not just on winning—but on evolving at the right time.
For Lakers, it was a much-needed crucial win. LeBron James led the charge with a strong all-around performance. Logging just over 34 minutes, LeBron scored 19 points on 9-of-16 shooting (56.3%), added 7 assists, and contributed 3 rebounds.
Austin Reaves was another standout, scoring 18 points and hitting 4 of his 8 three-point attempts.

Luka Doncic put up a game-high 30 points in under 38 minutes. He shot 55% from the floor and nailed 5 triples on 11 attempts, also adding 7 rebounds and 6 assists in a well-rounded showing.
Dorian Finney-Smith added 7 rebounds and 2 assists with just 2 turnovers in nearly 30 minutes of action.
Off the bench, Gabe Vincent also dropped 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting— all from three-point range— and chipped in 3 assists and 3 rebounds. Meanwhile, Jaxson Hayes and Rui Hachimura helped anchor the frontcourt, combining for 14 points and 12 rebounds.
Also Read: LeBron James left stunned as Los Angeles Lakers teammates ignore injury in shocking loss to Golden State Warriors
As for the Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team with 26 points, alongside 3 rebounds, 9 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block. Jalen Williams followed with 16 points, and Chet Holmgren added 10. Unfortunately for the Thunder, they only had three stars to score a double digit.

Get the latest IPL 2025 updates on Times of India, including match schedules, team squads, points table and IPL live score for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Don’t miss the list of players in the race for IPL Orange Cap and IPL Purple cap.

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House sends bill curtailing virtual school day use to Oklahoma governor

Published

13 hours ago

April 29, 2025

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House sends bill curtailing virtual school day use to Oklahoma governor

OKLAHOMA CITY — The state House on Tuesday sent a bill that would limit most public schools to two virtual days a year to the governor’s desk despite bipartisan opposition. Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, Senate Bill 758 limits brick-and-mortar schools to 12 hours of virtual instruction as long as the state superintendent approves […]

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma DL Gracen Halton Looking to Continue Progression in 2025

Published

1 day ago

April 28, 2025

Press Room

Oklahoma DL Gracen Halton Looking to Continue Progression in 2025

NORMAN — After his best college season yet, Gracen Halton returns to Oklahoma as one of the leaders on a veteran defensive line.

Halton, a 6-foot-2, 284-pound defensive tackle entering his senior year, played all of the Sooners’ 13 games in 2024 and started three of them.

With several other veterans in OU’s front seven, Halton’s primary goal for 2025 is simple: be a major factor in one of the Sooners’ most experienced position groups.

“It’s great to have that experience, you know what I’m saying?” Halton said during a post-practice media in the spring. “Guys that know what to do, those guys can coach up the younger guys so that when we’re not here, the younger guys can take it to another level.”

Halton’s production in his first three seasons at OU was linear.

As a true freshman in 2022, he played in 10 games, finishing the season with 10 total tackles, with tackle for loss. Halton played 11 games in 2023 — zero starts — and ended the season with 3.5 tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry.

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And last year, Halton played a key role on the Sooners’ defensive line.

Halton finished the 2024 campaign with 30 tackles, six TFLs, five quarterback sacks, three hurries, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and a safety. Halton earned SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors in the Sooners’ Week 2 win against Houston, logging two tackles for loss and the game-clinching safety.

Halton finished the 2024 season with a Pro Football Focus defensive grade of 75.4. That grade was second among OU interior defensive lineman who played more than 10 games, behind only David Stone (75.7).

Still, even after such a stellar season, Halton isn’t content. He used spring ball to improve both as a player and as a leader.

“I’ve been through it before,” Halton said. “So just taking it day by day, just really getting better at the things I need to. Knowing what I need to get better and just taking it and applying it on the field.”

Halton sees his run-stopping abilities as an area where he can get better. While Halton’s pass rush grade was 76.7 in 2024, his run defense grade was a bit lower at 71.3, fourth-best among Sooner defensive tackles.

“Just staying in those double teams,” Halton said. “Things that I watched film on myself from last year (in run defense). Things I feel like I need to get better at.”

OU’s defensive line is loaded with players who have played hundreds of snaps for the Sooners, including senior tackle Damonic Williams, senior defensive end R Mason Thomas, sophomore tackle Jayden Jackson and Stone, a sophomore. The Sooners also picked up former Florida State and Georgia defensive end Marvin Jones Jr. from the transfer portal.

In a defensive line group filled with talented, experienced players, cornerback Gentry Williams believes Halton will be a centerpiece again in 2025.

“Gracen Halton had an excellent season,” Williams said. “I think G-baby has done a really good job (in spring practice).”

Oklahoma also signed two defensive linemen — tackle Trent Wilson and defensive end Alex Shieldnight — in its 2025 recruiting class. 247Sports rated both Wilson and Shieldnight as 3-star prospects.

With an array of old and new talent up front for OU’s defense, it’s hard to predict what the Sooners’ defensive two-deep will look like. But it’s safe to assume Halton will be a key piece for OU’s d-line, no matter where he lines up.

“I feel very comfortable,” Halton said. “I feel like it came through last year like game four or five, getting comfortable in where I was playing. Now I’m just getting better at it. All the mistakes I made, just getting better at those.”

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