Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram (14) passes between Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) and forward Paul George, right, in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Thunder guard Russell Westbrook, left, reaches for the ball as Lakers guard Tyler Ennis, right, tries to pass while seated on the court during the first half of Wednesday’s game in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

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Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jerami Grant, right, dunks in front of Los Angeles Lakers forward Larry Nance Jr., left, in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) goes to the basket as Los Angeles Lakers guard Josh Hart (5) defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram (14) shoots over Oklahoma City Thunder forward Paul George, left, in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)



Los Angeles Lakers center Brook Lopez, right, shoots as Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle (30) dunks in front of Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) goes up for a shot in front of Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle (30) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Los Angeles Lakers center Brook Lopez, right, gets his hand on the ball as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Paul George (13) shoots in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle (30) shoots among, from left, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Carmelo Anthony, guard Russell Westbrook and guard Andre Roberson in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)



Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) goes to the basket as Los Angeles Lakers guard Josh Hart (5) defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Carmelo Anthony (7) drives past Los Angeles Lakers forward Corey Brewer, right, in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018. Oklahoma City won 114-90. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) shoots in front of Los Angeles Lakers forward Corey Brewer (3) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018. Oklahoma City won 114-90. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Raymond Felton (2) shoots as Los Angeles Lakers guard Alex Caruso (4) defends in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018. Oklahoma City won 114-90. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Josh Huestis (34) dunks in front of Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018. Oklahoma City won 114-90. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)



Los Angeles Lakers center Ivica Zubac (40) reaches for a rebound with Oklahoma City Thunder forward Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jerami Grant and forward Paul George (13) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018. Oklahoma City won 114-90. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Los Angeles Lakers center Ivica Zubac (40) shoots in front of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jerami Grant (9) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018. Oklahoma City won 114-90. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Alex Caruso (4) shoots as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Patrick Patterson (54) defends in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018. Oklahoma City won 114-90. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Patrick Patterson passes in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018. Oklahoma City won 114-90. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Los Angeles Lakers forward Corey Brewer (3) shoots as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Josh Huestis (34) and guard Raymond Felton (2) watch in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018. Oklahoma City won 114-90. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)



Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) goes up for a shot in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

OKLAHOMA CITY — The visitors’ locker room in Chesapeake Energy Arena is designed so that three lockers are situated behind a wall in a corner, out of view from the rest of the room. It is three hinges and a pine slab away from being a closet. It is an excellent place to hide.

That is where Julius Randle tucked himself away on Wednesday night following the Lakers’ 114-90 loss to the Thunder.

The Lakers (15-29) expected to be stranded in Oklahoma City for at least three more hours after their flight crew failed to make it to the heartland. His feet resting on the bottom shelf of his locker, smartphone nestled in his hand, thumb at work, Randle was asked if he had the time to speak to reporters. He shook his head no.

That Randle did not wish to speak Wednesday was not all that surprising, even though NBA rules dictate that players make themselves available after games. By now, Randle is used to being the Lakers’ scapegoat. Minutes earlier, Luke Walton had called out his team’s effort and their physicality, criticisms that could easily be deciphered as a challenge to their starting power forward.

Related Articles Why can’t the Lakers win without Lonzo Ball, and will they ever? “He’s our physical presence,” Walton said. “He’s our guy that needs to bully other teams. … We need him to be not necessarily our tough guy, but our guy (who) when we’re getting pushed around, pushes back a little bit.”

The Lakers were outrebounded 54-30 and gave up 21 offensive rebounds that led to 26 second-chance points. Feasting on the glass was Steven Adams, the Thunder’s 7-foot center with the facial hair, frame and mystique of a Dothraki warrior.

The Lakers were left to lament the absence of their 6-6 rookie point guard, Lonzo Ball, who for some reason leads them in defensive rebounds at 5.9 per game.

“They just big-boyed us,” Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma said. “Steven Adams, we couldn’t stop him from getting a rebound. He was the head of the snake in that department.”

Seven of Adams’ 10 rebounds came on the offensive glass. Randle and starting center Brook Lopez combined for just two rebounds, with Randle contributing just one.

Randle did score a team-high 16 points on 8-for-11 shooting, but all of his points came on eight baskets in the first half.

His rough night came just two games after he exploded for 23 points and 15 rebounds in an overtime victory over Dallas. That performance had come two nights after the first scoreless night of his career.

Randle without inconsistency would be like Southern California without the beaches. It completes the experience. It is what sells fans on his potential and has frustrated each of his pro coaches.

Two weeks after they lost by 37 points to the Thunder at Staples Center, the Lakers were similarly dispatched on Oklahoma City’s home floor.

“They got into a nice rhythm in the first game just like they did this time,” Walton said. “Started letting Carmelo (Anthony) dance with the ball, get his rhythm shot, which is the exact opposite of what we want to do in our scouting report to defend him.”

Anthony scored 27 points, while Adams added 21 to his healthy portion of rebounds. Russell Westbrook finished with 19 points, despite missing eight of his first nine shots and added seven assists and six rebounds.

Paul George, who thirstily received Lakers fans passionate recruiting pitches 14 nights earlier, was held in check, scoring just 13 points on 14 shots.

It was a war of attrition for the Lakers, as one player after the next joined Ball in the trainers’ room during the game.

First, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope suffered a left Achilles strain in the second quarter and, after testing it at halftime, did not return. Then, Brandon Ingram tweaked the sprained left ankle that forced him to sit out Monday’s game in Memphis. Finally, Kuzma sprained a joint in his left hand.

A team that left Los Angeles with a bare injury report six days earlier returns home with four players nursing injuries and a 1-2 record to show for its time away.