The LA Lakers could not contain the OKC Thunder in Game 3, falling to a 0-3 hole, a deficit no team in NBA playoffs history has ever recovered. In Game 3, the Thunder made it a point that they would attack Lakers’ guard Austin Reaves on every possible possession.
Over the past two games, the Thunder found success in hunting Reaves on pick-and-rolls and isolation plays. According to tracking data from NBA.com, the Lakers gave up 58 points when Reaves was a primary defender of a Thunder player.
Video clips of Reaves have circulated through social media, particularly in five straight sequences in the third quarter, where different Thunder players found themselves against Reaves, before subsequently making a basket to help OKC pull away.
This is DIABOLICAL
The Lakers led at halftime but were blasted with a 33-20 Thunder burst in the second half to pull away and never look back.
Lakers Fans Express Dismay Over Austin Reaves’ Defense Vs OKC
GettyLos Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves has been targeted by the Thunder.
Many Lakers fans expressed dismay about Reaves’ perimeter defense, saying that he has been a parking cone on defense throughout the series, on top of other descriptions.
@GameChangerSean: Duh. He’s a parking cone. So is Kenard. So is Luka. Lakers were never going to get the the finals with Luka either. They gotta find defenders.
@palatacious: The only person on the Lakers with good defense is Smart and dislocated finger dude. After you got nothing.
@ripblackmamba: Racism at its purest but y’all not ready for that conversation
@Spectixx2: And this the same dude that wants to get a big PAYDAY 😂😂😂😂
@Herutrading: Lakers would be fools to give reeves 200 million.. are they stupid?.. I understand u need white representation in the league because most of the patrons are white but that would be an awful contract
Meanwhile, other fans speculated that the Thunder would feast on offense even more if Luka Doncic, a well-known defensive liability, were on the court along with Reaves.
@Itsmealan123: Imagine if Luka was also there. OKC would be up by 50
@CGainz954: Facts they would get absolutely wiped out with Luka getting targeted
@iconic_0ne: That’s why I laugh when they say if Luka was there that would help. Man they would attack the lakers backcourt bad if they saw Luka and reeves on the floor together
@ichienoki: Just for everyone who thinks Luka would help LA win, Luka is more stationary than Reaves. Just to put it lightly.
As the Thunder attacked Reaves’ defense, players such as Ajay Mitchell and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander found good looks. Mitchell had a game-high 24 points in Game 3, continuing his consistent scoring throughout the series. Meanwhile, Gilgeous-Alexander had 23 points, his highest output this series so far.
Lakers Still Determined to Extend The Series
GettyThe Lakers look to avoid a sweep.
Reaves opened up on the mindset the Lakers would bring in Game 4 as they look to avoid a sweep and bring the series back to Oklahoma City.
“Just come and compete. There’s a bunch of guys in the locker room that are competitors,” Reaves said after Game 3. “Basically the message after the game was just we’re gonna come here Monday and we’re gonna get a win. Obviously, this situation sucks, but that doesn’t give us the license to quit.”
The Thunder is 7-0 in the playoffs so far. The Lakers have yet to win a game against the Thunder this season.
Game 4 will be on Monday, May 11, in Los Angeles.
Lakers Fans React To OKC Targeting “Parking Cone” Austin Reaves On Defense