The Los Angeles Lakers look to protect home court when they take on the Oklahoma City Thunder in game three of their second round series. 

The Lakers dropped game two, 125-107, in a game that was competitive until midway through the third quarter. The Lakers led at halftime and extended their lead to five early in the third, but a run by the Thunder bench gave them a 93-80 lead going into the fourth quarter. The Lakers clawed back in the game, cutting the lead to five halfway through the fourth, but the Thunder closed the game on another run to put things away. 

The Thunder lead the series 2-0. Game three takes place at Crypto.com Arena and will begin at 8:30 PM ET. 

Luka Doncic is OUT with a left hamstring strain. Doncic has been sidelined since April 2 and is unlikely to return for this series. He was given a timeframe of eight weeks for a potential return. If the series goes seven games, it would be just over six weeks since the injury occured. 

Jarred Vanderbilt is QUESTIONABLE with a right finger dislocation. He suffered the injury in game one after hitting his hand on the backboard in an attempted block. He missed game two. He played six minutes in game one, finishing with two points and one rebound. 

The Lakers are likely to once again start LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, Deandre Ayton, Austin Reaves, and Marcus Smart. That lineup has started both games in this series. 

Jake LaRavia, Jaxson Hayes, and Luke Kennard all played over ten minutes off the bench in game two. Vanderbilt is expected to get minutes off the bench as well. 

Jalen Williams is OUT with a left hamstring strain. Williams suffered the injury in game two of the first round on April 22. He was originally listed as being out week-to-week and it is unclear if he will return for this series. 

Thomas Sorber is OUT after undergoing season-ending ACL surgery in the offseason. He will not make his NBA debut until next season. 

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Ajay Mitchell, Lu Dort, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Chet Holmgren are the likely starters for the Thunder as those five have started both games in the series. 

Jaylin Williams, Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace, and Jarred McCain all played more than 14 minutes off the bench in game one. Isaiah Joe also saw time off the bench, playing nine minutes.