THE defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder is now one win away from another ticket to the Western Conference Finals.
This after the Thunder dominated the Lakers, 131-108, in Game 3 of the National Basketball Association (NBA) Western Conference semis at the Crypto.com Arena in California on Saturday (Sunday, May 10, 2026 (PH time).
Ajay Mitchell dropped a career playoff high of 24 points and 10 assists, while reigning Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 23 points and nine assists for the Thunder.
Oklahoma City improved to 7-0 in the playoffs following a sweep of the Phoenix Suns in the first round. The franchise became the NBA’s sixth defending champion to start 7-0 in the following postseason after three wins over short-handed Los Angeles.
Lakers once again missed NBA scoring champion Luka Doncic, who is out for his 14th consecutive game for the Lakers since straining his hamstring April 2 in Oklahoma City.
LeBron James poured in 19 points, eight assists and six rebounds, sharp-shooter Austin Reaves chipped in 17 points and nine assists, and Rui Hachimura added 21 points for the losing team.
Game 4 is on Monday in Los Angeles (Tuesday, PH time). / RSC
