The LA Lakers will have to overcome the OKC Thunder’s historical mark in Game 3 of their Western Conference semifinal series.
The Thunder will enter Game 3 as the fourth team in NBA playoffs history to start with a 6-0 record with a +100 score differential or better. The Thunder have a +105 differential in their six wins in this year’s playoffs.
The last team to do it was the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers in 2009, going 6-0 with a +109 score differential. Now, James is on the other end of a series with a 6-0 team in the playoffs.
Oklahoma City is the FOURTH team in NBA history to start a Playoffs 6-0 with a +100 score differential or better:
▪ 2026 Thunder (6-0, +105) ▪ 2009 Cavaliers (6-0, +109) ▪ 1987 Lakers (6-0, +131) ▪ 1985 Lakers (6-0, +105)
NBA Playoffs
Before the Cavaliers, the 1985 and 1987 Lakers did it with a +105 and +131 score differential in their first six games.
The Lakers now must pour everything into Game 3 to snag a win in the series.
James will again orchestrate the Lakers’ offense after putting up 23 points and 6 assists in Game 2. In Game 1, he had 27 points, four rebounds, and six assists, albeit both in losses.
They should also get timely offense from Austin Reaves, who is the team’s initiator in Game 2, tallying 31 points, and six assists. Reaves struggled in the series opener, only scoring eight points on 3-of-16 shooting from the field.
If the Thunder wins Game 3, they would be the sixth reigning champion to win seven straight playoff games. LeBron James’ 2016-2017 Cavaliers last did it, winning 10 straight playoff games a year after winning the title.
Lakers Head Coach JJ Redick Lays Out Points of Emphasis for Game 3
GettyJJ Redick details pointers for Game 3.
JJ Redick has a few pointers for the Lakers ahead of Game 3. Some of them include keeping their foot on the gas pedal when Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is on the bench, taking care of possessions and rebounding.
“They were plus-nine in the non-Shai minutes and then in the second half, we just got blitzed,” he said. 32-14, seven turnovers, they shot 14 free throws during that stretch. We’ll look at lineups, we’ll look at everything to try to figure out how we can be better in those minutes.”
“We’re starting to see some trends here and we probably need to go back to the two keys we had against Houston, which were to take care of the ball and box out. Because it’s not a high volume, but they’ve killed us in two games. Every time they’ve gotten an offensive rebound, they’ve scored,” Redick added.
The Lakers will remain without their leading scorer Luka Doncic, who has yet to play in this year’s playoffs as he nurses a Grade 2 hamstring strain. Meanwhile, the Thunder will be without Jalen Williams, who is also suffering from a hamstring strain.
Lakers Hope To Get One on Their Home Court
GettyLos Angeles Lakers look to gain one win against the Thunder.
The Lakers lost by 18 points in the first two games of the series. As they play in Los Angeles, they hope to finally steal one in the series.
The Lakers have yet to defeat the Thunder this season after six games, four in the regular season and two in the playoffs.
Game 3 is on Saturday night at 8:30 p.m Eastern time.
More Bad News For Lakers Ahead of Game 3 As OKC Reaches Historic Mark