LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are on the brink of elimination, but the 42-year-old superstar remains undeterred after a crushing 131-108 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the Western Conference second-round series.
The Lakers, who had already lost the first two games by 18 points each, were handed an even heavier defeat at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday. If they lose again in Game 4 on Tuesday, it would mark their third consecutive season without reaching the Western Conference Finals.
The game was tightly contested in the first half, ending 57-57, but the Thunder dominated the third quarter with a 33-20 run. Oklahoma City guards Ajay Mitchell and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took control, combining for 47 points (Mitchell with 24 points and 10 assists, Gilgeous-Alexander with 23 points and 9 assists). Isaiah Joe’s outside shooting sealed the win for the visitors.
For the Lakers, LeBron James scored 19 points, Austin Reaves added 17, and Rui Hachimura contributed 21, but their efforts were not enough to stop the Thunder’s deep offensive attack.
Despite facing a 3-0 series deficit, James expressed resilience rather than disappointment.
“I’m not angry or disappointed with the result,” James said after the game, according to ClutchPoints. “Obviously, I’m disappointed with the fact that we’re down 0-3 in the series, but we still have an opportunity. That’s all we can ask for. We have to play much better in Game 4.”
The Lakers will need a historic turnaround to avoid the sweep, as no NBA team has ever come back from a 3-0 playoff deficit.
