Sporting new faces, the Oklahoma City Thunder eclipsed a determined, yet inexperienced Los Angeles Lakers unit 110-96 Friday night.
Even without starting two-guard Victor Oladipo (back spasms), Russell Westbrook's augmented supporting cast performed in effective unison.
As Oklahoma City embarks upon the final quarter of its well-chronicled 16-17 journey, this is a look at the team's five main storylines following a reassuring night for Thunder nation.
As midnight approached on Thursday's trade deadline, Sam Presti leveraged a mostly under-performing trio for a pair of proven Bulls and future second-round draft pick. In a boon for OKC, underachieving guards Cameron Payne and Anthony Morrow, along with reserve Joffrey Lauvergne, were flipped for sharpshooter Doug McDermott and a likely two-month rental of Taj Gibson.