Lakers 108-131 OKC, NBA Playoffs: Thunder Defeat LA Lakers To Take 3-0 Series Lead
Ajay Mitchell had career playoff highs of 24 points and 10 assists, and the Oklahoma City Thunder extended their unbeaten playoff run to the brink of another Western Conference finals with a 131-108 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of the second round on Saturday night. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 23 points and nine assists for the Thunder, who coolly improved to 7-0 — both in these playoffs overall, and in their seven games this season against LeBron James and the Lakers. Oklahoma City is the NBA’s sixth defending champion to start 7-0 in the following postseason after three wins over short-handed Los Angeles by a combined 59 points.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, right, drives by Los Angeles Lakers forward Adou Thiero defends during the second half of Game 3 in a second-round NBA basketball playoffs series in Los Angeles. | Photo: AP/Mark J. Terrill
Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein, left, and Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura battle for a rebound during the second half of Game 3 in a second-round NBA basketball playoffs series in Los Angeles. | Photo: AP/Mark J. Terrill
Actor Noah Wyle, right, talks with actor Don Johnson, during the first half of Game 3 in a second-round NBA basketball playoffs series between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder in Los Angeles. | Photo: AP/Mark J. Terrill
Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren, center, dunks as Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton, left, and guard Marcus Smart defend during the first half of Game 3 in a second-round NBA basketball playoffs series in Los Angeles. | Photo: AP/Mark J. Terrill
Members of the Oklahoma City Thunder cheer from the bench during the second half of Game 3 in a second-round NBA basketball playoffs series against the Los Angeles Lakers, in Los Angeles. | Photo: AP/Mark J. Terrill
Los Angeles Lakers forward Adou Thiero, left, passes the ball from the floor while under pressure from Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe during the second half of Game 3 in a second-round NBA basketball playoffs series in Los Angeles. | Photo: AP/Mark J. Terrill
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, takes a pass as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander defends during the first half of Game 3 in a second-round NBA basketball playoffs series in Los Angeles. | Photo: AP/Mark J. Terrill
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCain, right, gestures after scoring as Los Angeles Lakers forward Adou Thiero runs behind during the first half of Game 3 in a second-round NBA basketball playoffs series in Los Angeles. | Photo: AP/Mark J. Terrill
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, right, watches along with Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort as his shot misses during the first half of Game 3 in a second-round NBA basketball playoffs series in Los Angeles. | Photo: AP/Mark J. Terrill
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