Thunder Crush Lakers, Take 3-0 Lead in NBA Playoff Series
Theo Al Jazeera English
Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 131-108 in Game 3 to take a commanding 3-0 series lead in the Western Conference semifinals. Ajay Mitchell scored 24 points and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 23 as the defending champions pulled away with a dominant second half. No NBA team has ever rallied from a 3-0 deficit.
Oklahoma City Thunder delivered a dominant second-half performance to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 131-108 in Game 3 of the NBA Western Conference semifinals. Ajay Mitchell shined with 24 points, including 18 in the second half, leading the home team to victory.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 23 points and nine assists as the defending champion Thunder grabbed a 3-0 series advantage. Chet Holmgren contributed 18 points and nine rebounds, while Cason Wallace chipped in 16 points off the bench. Mitchell also dished out 10 assists.
After trailing by two points at halftime, the Thunder exploded for 74 points in the second half, limiting the Lakers to just 49. Rui Hachimura led Los Angeles with 21 points and five three-pointers, LeBron James posted 19 points, eight assists, and six rebounds, and Luke Kennard scored 18 off the bench. Austin Reaves added 17 points and nine assists.
“The confidence from my teammates and the coaching staff has been amazing from day one,” Mitchell said after the game. “That’s the key.”
Thunder can close out the series in Game 4 on Monday in Los Angeles. No NBA team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit.
“Absolutely want to finish it quickly,” Gilgeous-Alexander said of a potential sweep. “You don’t want to waste an opportunity to win a game. We just have to replicate what we’ve done the first three games.”
The loss extended the Lakers’ winless streak against Oklahoma City this season to 0-7, with an average losing margin of 25.1 points. “They’re a great team from start to finish, and they don’t slow down,” LeBron James noted.
The home team remains without Luka Doncic, the NBA’s leading scorer, while Thunder missed Jalen Williams. Both are sidelined with hamstring injuries. Thunder shot 56.4% from the field, including 17 of 38 from three-point range. Isaiah Hartenstein had 12 points and nine rebounds, Isaiah Joe scored 12 points on four three-pointers, and Luguentz Dort added 10 points. Wallace also knocked down four threes.
The Lakers shot 46.9% and went 14 of 30 from deep. Marcus Smart and Deandre Ayton each scored 10 points. Los Angeles committed 17 turnovers, leading to 30 Thunder points.
“MVP (Gilgeous-Alexander) shot 7 of 20 tonight, and they still beat us three times in a row,” Lakers coach JJ Redick admitted. “They’re an incredible team.”
