LeBron James, Lakers Lose to SGA, Thunder in Game 3 as NBA Fans Eye Series Sweep Amid Luka Injury

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers 131-108 on the road Saturday to take a commanding 3-0 series lead in their second-round NBA playoff matchup.

Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 23 points, along with four rebounds, nine assists and two blocks to lead the Thunder.

After sweeping the Phoenix Suns in the first round behind Gilgeous-Alexander's 33.7 points-per-game average, Oklahoma City is now on the verge of another sweep against James and the Lakers, who remain without Luka Doncic.

Doncic has been sidelined since April 2 with a left hamstring strain suffered during the final days of the regular season and has yet to make his 2026 postseason debut.

The Thunder have taken full advantage of his absence, building a 3-0 series lead behind a dominant performance from Gilgeous-Alexander and 18 points and nine rebounds from Chet Holmgren.

Ajay Mitchell erupted for a postseason career-high 24 points, adding 10 assists for a double-double along with three steals. Seven total Oklahoma City players finished in double figures in Game 3.

The Lakers received a balanced effort with six players reaching double figures, but it was not enough to overcome Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder's 23-point win.

James finished with 19 points, six rebounds and eight assists. Rui Hachimura added 21 points and five rebounds, while Austin Reaves scored 17 points. Luke Kennard chipped in 18 points off the bench, while Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart each added 10 points.

Oklahoma City is chasing back-to-back Larry O'Brien Championship trophies after defeating the Indiana Pacers 4-3 in last season's NBA Finals behind 2024-25 NBA MVP Gilgeous-Alexander.

A look at the semifinal playoff bracket.

Western Conference 

No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder lead No. 4 Los Angeles Lakers, 3-0 

No. 2 San Antonio Spurs lead No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves, 2-1 

Eastern Conference 

No. 1 Detroit Pistons lead No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers, 2-1 

No. 3 New York Knicks lead No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers, 3-0

The winner of the No. 1 Thunder and No. 4 Lakers will face the winner of the No. 2 San Antonio Spurs and No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves series in the Western Conference FInals. 

The series will remain in Los Angeles for Game 4 on Monday as the Thunder will look to sweep the series on the road.