Lakers vs. Thunder Game 3 Preview
The Los Angeles Lakers have a lot of work to do after going down 2-0 in the second-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Oklahoma City had the best home record in the regular season, and they continued that momentum in Games 1 and 2. Los Angeles has yet to beat the Thunder this season and has lost by double-digits in each of the postseason games so far.
The hope is that the Lakers’ home-court advantage in Games 3 and 4 will give them some momentum. Let’s break down the Saturday night matchup.
Lakers Need Support From THE Bench
Los Angeles has strongly relied on the starting five for each of the first two games in this series.
In Game 1, 75 of the 90 points scored for the Lakers were from the starting five. This same thing was an issue in Game 2, as 87 of 107 total points were from the starters.
The Thunder’s relentless defense has made it difficult for the Lakers to find momentum on offense. The hope is that Los Angeles can find some help from role players like Jake LaRavia, Luke Kennard, and others from the bench.
No Luka Doncic Again for Los Angeles
The hope that superstar guard Luka Doncic will return at some point for the Lakers is slowly draining. However, recent reports revealed that he received an eight-week recovery timetable after suffering a Grade 2 hamstring strain on April 2.
A little over five weeks later, Doncic is still considered out indefinitely with the setback. According to The Athletic’s Dan Woike, it’s unlikely that Doncic will be available for the Lakers at all in the second-round series.
If Los Angeles fights back from a 2-0 series deficit, this conversation will resurface. Otherwise, Luka Doncic saw his 2025-26 end in early April.
Fouling Habits Have Become an Issue for Lakers
A big conversation that has been covered in the media and on the court is the refs’ whistles.
Game 1 had 30 combined foul calls, and this number rose significantly in Game 2, with 47.
The sensitive whistles have resulted in issues between refs and the players. It’s gone as far as Austin Reaves having a lengthy conversation with them after the Game 2 loss.
At the end of the day, relying on the refs is the last thing that needs to happen for LA.
Game 3 is set to tip off at 5:30 p.m PDT.
