Thunder’s 24‑point, 10‑assist night pushes Lakers to 3‑0 brink

The Thunder’s second‑half surge on Tuesday turned a competitive Game 3 into a decisive blowout. After trailing by two at halftime, Oklahoma City opened the third with a 21‑6 run, eventually outscoring the Lakers by 23 points in the period. Los Angeles finished the night shooting 8‑of‑22 and committing multiple turnovers, while the Thunder’s depth proved overwhelming.

Mitchell, starting for the injured Jalen Williams, posted a perfect line: 24 points, 10 assists and no turnovers. His efficiency helped the Thunder stretch the lead to as many as 27 points in the fourth quarter. Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander, who added 23 points, called Mitchell “a gamer” and said the performance matched the Thunder’s internal expectations, even if it surprised outsiders.

For the Lakers, Rui Hachimura led with 21 points and LeBron James contributed 19 points, six rebounds and eight assists, but the effort fell short of the 131 points needed. The loss leaves Los Angeles facing a must‑win Game 4 at home, the only chance to avoid becoming the first NBA team to lose a series after leading 3‑0.

A win would put the Lakers in rare historical company; no team has ever rallied from a 3‑0 deficit in a best‑of‑seven playoff series. The pressure now shifts to the Lakers’ defense and ball security, areas that faltered in the third quarter when the Thunder seized momentum.

What to watch next: whether the Lakers can tighten their shooting efficiency and limit turnovers in Game 4, and if Mitchell can replicate his turnover‑free production under playoff pressure.