The Los Angeles Lakers will visit the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena on Thursday evening.

Los Angeles (24-21) is fresh off a much-needed win over the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday. The Lakers snapped a two-game losing skid with the win. The absence of LeBron James continues to loom large over the Lakers' mid-season, as the team is just 4-7 since James went down with a strained groin in late December. His absence has allowed time for LA's younger stars to flourish, however. Kyle Kuzma has been the team's leading scorer with James sidelined, averaging 21 points per game over that stretch.

The Lakers will also be without Rajon Rondo, who is still recovering after having surgery on his right ring finger.


OKC (26-17), meanwhile, is coming off an embarrassing loss in which they ceded a season-high 142 points to the struggling Atlanta Hawks. It was an uncharacteristic performance for the Thunder, who boast the third-best defensive rating in the league this season. Thursday's game will provide a chance to bounce back, however, as the Thunder held LA to just 100 points in their last matchup. In that game, star forward Paul George led the Thunder with 37 points against his hometown team.


The Thunder will be without Nerlens Noel, who is in concussion protocol, and Andre Roberson, who remains out with a knee injury.