LOS ANGELES — Regardless of what came beforehand or what’ll come afterwards — and the Lakers didn’t have much time to dwell on Monday’s loss to the Thunder since they host the Spurs Tuesday night — a matchup against the defending NBA champions will always be a measuring stick game in their quest to contend for a title.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have announced that their All-NBA swingman, Jalen Williams, will return against the Los Angeles Lakers after being sidelined with a hamstring strain.

Jalen Williams makes a triumphant return to the court, leading the shorthanded Thunder to a victory over the Lakers with a great performance.

The new Thunder guard shared a personal look into his first days in OKC following the NBA trade. "It's been an emotional few days, chat," he said.

Thunder MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lent new trade acqusition Jared McCain a helping hand at the team facility.

Injuries have mounted, consistency has vanished and amid such testing times, Rashad McCants has boldly proclaimed that the Thunder are no longer the unstoppable, fearless force many considered them they be.

LeBron James won't hit the required 65-game mark for the Los Angeles Lakers to be eligible for end-of-season awards.