In a thrilling matchup against the Thunder, the Los Angeles Lakers emerged victorious thanks to a new starting lineup and strong performances from their bench players. The game marked a milestone for LeBron James, who scored 40 points for the 75th time in his regular-season career.

James showcased his all-around skills, going 13-of-20 from the floor, a perfect 5-of-5 on 3-pointers, and sinking all of his 9 free throw attempts. Reflecting on his performance, James expressed satisfaction in his ability to make game-winning plays and impact the game in multiple ways.

The Lakers' new starting group, though not the driving force behind their win, provided a much-needed reset for the team's rotation. With simplified offensive hierarchy, the ball primarily flowed through James and Anthony Davis. Meanwhile, Wayne Prince, Cam Reddish, and Jarred Vanderbilt operated as finishers. Despite the limited space on the court, the Lakers generated high-percentage shots at the rim or over the top of the Thunder's smaller perimeter defenders.

Defensively, the Lakers took advantage of their size advantage with a starting lineup featuring five players who are 6-foot-6 and taller. The ability to switch across all positions allowed the Lakers to maintain control and deny their opponents any advantage.

However, the new lineup did come with a trade-off, as it lacked 3-point shooting options. Prince and James were the only above-average shooters from beyond the arc. Vanderbilt and Reddish had yet to prove their reliability in this area, while none of the three were known for their secondary ball handling or shot creation.

The Lakers' victory was largely credited to key contributions from their bench players. Rui Hachimura, despite not starting, emerged as the main beneficiary of the new rotation. He scored 21 points, with 16 of them coming in the first half, and played 29 minutes. James commended Hachimura's performance, labeling it as "big-time."

In addition to Hachimura, Austin Reaves played a significant role in the final 18 minutes of the game, totaling 28 minutes overall. Replacing D'Angelo Russell as the team's primary floor general and distributor, Reaves proved his worth by displaying solid playmaking skills. Russell, on the other hand, excelled in a scoring role off the bench, contributing 15 points, 12 of which came in the first half.

Russell's reduced playing time and absence in the game's final minutes raised eyebrows. Head coach Ham revealed that he had discussed a role change with Russell prior to the game, and the player handled it professionally. Russell accepted the decision and made a positive impact when called upon, emphasizing that the ultimate goal is winning.

With the implementation of the new lineup, the Lakers secured a win against the Thunder. The victory showcased the team's adaptability and the value of their bench players stepping up when needed. Moving forward, the Lakers will look to build on this momentum while finding a balance between offensive firepower and defensive versatility.