The Los Angeles Lakers showed resilience in Game 3 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, managing to stay competitive for much of the game before ultimately falling short in the final minutes. The Thunder secured a decisive 131-108 victory, putting them on the brink of another sweep in the NBA Playoffs.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continued his consistent, albeit not dominant, scoring, finishing below 30 points for the third consecutive game. Meanwhile, the Lakers’ superstar duo, LeBron James and Austin Reaves, had an uncharacteristically quiet performance.
In the Eastern Conference, the Cleveland Cavaliers managed to narrow their series deficit to 1-2 against the Detroit Pistons with a 116-109 win.
Los Angeles Lakers (W4) — Oklahoma City Thunder (W1) 108:131 — Series: 0-3
Game 3, held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, saw an unusual start with both Luka Doncic (Lakers) and Jalen Williams (Thunder) absent due to injuries. The healthy star players on both sides also began the game with a sluggish offensive rhythm. LeBron James struggled with his shot in the first quarter, making only two of his six attempts, while Austin Reaves missed all five of his field goal attempts. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Oklahoma City also had a slow start, converting just one of his first seven shots.
The focus then shifted to the role players. Cason Wallace was a standout for the Thunder, making all four of his shots, including three three-pointers, and scoring eleven points in just six minutes off the bench. This contribution helped Oklahoma City secure a 31-26 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Lakers, however, found scoring from other starters and reserves, notably Luke Kennard, who tallied 18 points with an impressive 4-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc. Rui Hachimura continued his strong playoff run, leading the Lakers with 21 points and five made three-pointers on eight attempts, maintaining a remarkable 58 percent three-point accuracy through nine playoff games. While Reaves’ scoring was limited, he excelled as a playmaker, dishing out seven assists by halftime and finishing with nine for the game.
With less than four minutes remaining in the second quarter, the Lakers took a 51-47 lead, with two free throws from Hachimura and a rare dunk from Reaves. However, this advantage was short-lived. Oklahoma City significantly increased their intensity after halftime, particularly with an improved long-range shooting performance and several unforced turnovers from the Lakers. An 11-2 run by the Thunder regained control of the game, and they entered the final quarter with a double-digit lead at 90-79.
In the fourth quarter, Josh Giddey took charge, having been a key player in Game 2. He delivered a series of crucial baskets, almost single-handedly sealing the victory for the Thunder. Giddey finished as the Thunder’s leading scorer with 24 points, a new postseason career high. Gilgeous-Alexander remained below the 30-point mark for the third consecutive game, scoring 22 points on a 7-of-20 shooting performance. Chet Holmgren also had a strong outing with 18 points on an efficient 9-of-14 shooting. All five of Oklahoma City’s starters scored in double figures. For the Lakers, Isaiah Hartenstein contributed 12 points and nine rebounds, while Luguentz Dort added ten points. Wallace continued his effective play off the bench, scoring an additional 16 points.
For the Lakers, Hachimura was the top scorer with 21 points. LeBron James’ performance was below his usual standards, with 19 points on 7-of-19 shooting, along with six rebounds and eight assists. Despite his nine assists, Reaves also disappointed with only 17 points. DeAndre Ayton added ten points and six rebounds, and Marcus Smart also scored ten points.
Oklahoma City’s playoff run continues to be flawless, marking their seventh win in seven games. After sweeping the Phoenix Suns, they are now poised for their second consecutive sweep of this postseason. For the Lakers, the focus has shifted to damage limitation. Game 4 is scheduled for early Tuesday morning, once again in Los Angeles.
NBA Playoffs 2026: Second Round Standings
| Conference | Matchup | Series Stand |
|---|---|---|
| Western | Thunder (1) — Lakers (4) | 3-0 |
| Western | Spurs (2) — Timberwolves (6) | 2-1 |
| Eastern | Pistons (1) — Cavaliers (4) | 2-1 |
| Eastern | Knicks (3) — Sixers (7) | 3-0 |