Efficient Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads Thunder to road win over Hornets

The Oklahoma City Thunder improved their league-best record to 13-1 with a 109-96 victory over the Charlotte Hornets. This win is considered one of the best starts in NBA history, as the defending champions successfully avoided an upset on the road. Head coach Mark Daigneault discussed how the team managed to turn things around during the game.

LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers is set to return to full practice after a stint with the G League. The Lakers have recently won two consecutive games, including a significant victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, which has helped them recover from a rough start to their road trip. This return is highly anticipated as James has been sidelined due to injury since the beginning of the season.

The Los Angeles Lakers secured their second consecutive victory by defeating the Milwaukee Bucks 119-95. Center Deandre Ayton noted that the team's recent loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, where they fell 121-92, has instilled a sense of urgency to improve their performance. Ayton emphasized that this wake-up call is crucial for the Lakers as they aim to solidify their status as true contenders in the league.

Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga will not participate in the upcoming game against the New Orleans Pelicans. The Warriors are looking to extend their winning streak to three games after securing back-to-back victories against the San Antonio Spurs, highlighted by Stephen Curry's impressive 49-point performance. Kuminga's absence is due to a knee injury sustained during a previous match.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have achieved a remarkable 12-1 start to the NBA season, the best in franchise history. NBA analyst Chris Mannix has praised this performance, calling it the best start he has ever seen. This assessment follows the Thunder's impressive back-to-back victories against the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers at the Paycom Center.

The Charlotte Hornets will face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday, aiming for their fifth win of the season. However, point guard LaMelo Ball, 24, has been ruled out due to an ankle injury, which could impact the team's performance.