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HOUSTON, TEXAS - MAY 01: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Houston Rockets during the first period in Game Six of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Toyota Center on May 01, 2026 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)

Any shot the Los Angeles Lakers had of salvaging their second round series was dashed after they failed to win Game 3 at home. The Oklahoma City Thunder haven’t dropped a game and don’t look like doing so heading into Game 4.

The Lakers need a playoff miracle at this point, as no team has advanced after being 3-0 down in the playoffs. It looks highly unlikely that the record will be broken this year much less against a consistent Thunder side. 

Heading into Game 4, a loss will end the season for L.A. at the hands of the defending NBA champion that has shown zero weakness so far in the playoffs. They remain the only team yet to taste defeat in the playoffs this year. 

Lakers Facing Another Unkind Development  

GettyAjay Mitchell #25 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket against Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the fourth quarter in Game Three of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 09, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

This second-round series is starting to feel like the gap between the Lakers and the Thunder is wider than anticipated. The Thunder were the No. 1 seed, and the Lakers have been without Luka Doncic.

However, after a first-round defeat of the Houston Rockets, there was a small glimmer of thought that the Lakers could pose some threat to the Thunder. That hasn’t been the case through three games.

Two road losses could be excused, but Saturday’s loss at the Crypto.com Arena has made the series feel like one-way traffic.

The Thunder are actually playing like the defending champions. This title defense run hasn’t been seen since the Golden State Warriors’ dynasty almost a decade ago. 

In fact, few franchises in NBA history have defended a title with this level of early dominance. Oklahoma City’s +128 point-differential through seven games in this year’s playoffs has not been done by any previous champion through seven games. 

According to ClutchPoints, the Thunder are making a case as one of the beet defending champions in the playoffs.

“The OKC Thunder have won 7 straight playoff games to begin the playoffs, tied for the 4th-longest streak by a defending NBA champion in NBA history,” ClutchPoints wrote in a post.

A Game 1 35-point win over the Phoenix Suns in the first round has been the pick of the bunch for OKC. All three wins over the Lakers have been double digits, with the latest 23-point win in Game 3 the highest. 

In a Tough Spot

The Lakers are one game away from either pushing this series to one more game or bowing out to a sweep. 

The 0-3 playoff hole has swallowed every team that has fallen into it. The Lakers fell into that hole on Saturday and even a win on Monday night will look more like postponing the inevitable. 

Doncic’s absence has been a big miss for the Lakers. They have been outmatched in scoring stretches throughout the series so far. But instead of playing the “what could have been” card, they should look at the series as a reality check in terms of where the two franchises are at the moment.

Game 4 tips off Monday night at Crypto.com Arena with the Lakers looking to put a series win on the board.