Thunder Surge Past Lakers in Game 3 of Western Conference Semifinals
Published on May 10, 2026
In a commanding display, the Oklahoma City Thunder triumphed over the Los Angeles Lakers with a score of 131-108 in Game 3 of their Western Conference second-round playoff series. The Thunder’s victory was propelled by a stellar second half, during which they outscored the Lakers 74-49.
Ajay Mitchell played a pivotal role in the Thunder’s success, contributing 18 of his 24 points after halftime. His performance was complemented by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who recorded 23 points and nine assists, further solidifying the Thunder’s position as defending champions. Chet Holmgren added 18 points and nine rebounds, while Cason Wallace provided a significant boost off the bench with 16 points.
Mitchell expressed gratitude for the support he has received from his teammates and coaching staff, stating, “The confidence I got from my teammates and our coaching staff has been amazing from Day 1. That’s the key.”
The Thunder entered halftime trailing by two points but quickly turned the tide in the second half, showcasing their offensive prowess and defensive resilience. The Lakers struggled to keep pace, despite Rui Hachimura leading their scoring efforts with 21 points, including five three-pointers. LeBron James contributed 19 points, eight assists, and six rebounds, while Luke Kennard and Austin Reaves added 18 and 17 points, respectively.
This latest defeat marks the Lakers’ seventh consecutive loss to the Thunder this season, with an average margin of defeat of 25.1 points. James acknowledged the Thunder’s depth and tenacity, noting, “They are pretty good from top to bottom, and they don’t take their foot off the gas.”
The Thunder now hold a commanding 3-0 lead in the series, putting them in a strong position to complete a sweep in Game 4, scheduled for Monday in Los Angeles. Historically, no team in NBA playoff history has managed to recover from a 3-0 deficit to win a series. Gilgeous-Alexander emphasized the importance of seizing the opportunity, stating, “You never want to waste an opportunity to win a basketball game. We just need to do the same thing we did in the first three games.”
Both teams faced challenges with key injuries, as the Lakers were without NBA scoring champion Luka Doncic, while the Thunder missed their second-best player, Jalen Williams, both sidelined due to hamstring issues.
In terms of shooting, the Thunder demonstrated exceptional efficiency, hitting 56.4 percent of their shots from the field, including 17 of 38 from beyond the arc. Isaiah Hartenstein and Isaiah Joe each contributed 12 points, with Joe making four three-pointers. Luguentz Dort also made his mark with 10 points, and Wallace matched Joe’s three-point shooting performance.
The Lakers managed a shooting percentage of 46.9 and were 14 of 30 from three-point range. However, their 17 turnovers proved costly, allowing the Thunder to capitalize with 30 points off those mistakes. Lakers coach JJ Redick remarked on the Thunder’s dominance, stating, “The MVP [Gilgeous-Alexander] is 7 of 20 tonight, and they’ve kicked our a** three straight games. They are an incredible basketball team.”
As the series progresses, the Thunder will look to maintain their momentum and secure a place in the next round of the playoffs, while the Lakers aim to regroup and avoid elimination in their upcoming matchup.
