The Oklahoma City Thunder are now one win away from the Western Conference Finals after a dominant 131-108 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3. More importantly, they now hold a 3-0 series lead, a margin no NBA team has ever overcome in a best-of-seven series. While nothing is official until the fourth win is secured, this felt like the unofficial end of the matchup.

For much of the night, the Lakers competed hard. They carried a lead into halftime and kept the pressure on through three quarters. But once the fourth quarter arrived, Oklahoma City overwhelmed them with depth, physicality, and relentless energy. 

The Thunder outscored Los Angeles decisively in the final frame, turning a competitive contest into a blowout and sending a clear message that they remain in complete control of the series.

Here are the three biggest reasons Oklahoma City took command in Game 3.

The box score credited the Thunder with 12 offensive rebounds, but it felt like even more because of the timing and energy behind them. Every time the Lakers seemed ready to build momentum, Oklahoma City found a way to extend possessions.

Those extra rebounds did more than add numbers to the stat sheet. They wore down the Lakers mentally and physically. Few things are more frustrating for a defense than forcing a miss, only to have to defend again for another 14 seconds. The Thunder repeatedly won those hustle moments.

Their guards crashed in, their bigs fought for position, and multiple players flew in from the perimeter to keep possessions alive. That collective effort helped tilt the game over time. In a close contest, those hidden possessions matter, and Oklahoma City made sure they won that battle.

This was not a wire-to-wire blowout. The Lakers led at halftime and had chances to make things uncomfortable deep into the game. In that kind of environment, sloppy turnovers can become deadly.

But the Thunder stayed composed with the basketball.

Had Oklahoma City been careless, Los Angeles likely would have turned those mistakes into transition points and crowd energy. Instead, the Thunder limited those opportunities and forced the Lakers to earn points in the halfcourt.

That discipline was especially important because the Thunder were not shooting well from three early in the game. When outside shots are not falling, turnovers become even more costly. Oklahoma City understood that and valued possessions throughout the night.

Their decision making allowed them to stay within striking distance while they searched for rhythm offensively. Once they found it in the second half, the Lakers had little answer.

The Thunder won the points-in-the-paint battle 64-44, and that may have been the most important stat of the night.

Oklahoma City struggled from beyond the arc in the first half and could have easily let the poor shooting derail the offense. Instead, they stayed aggressive attacking the rim, cutting into space, and playing through contact.

That interior success kept them in the game while the jump shots were inconsistent. Rather than settling for contested threes, the Thunder trusted their athleticism and pressure offense to generate higher quality looks near the basket.

Once they established themselves inside, everything else opened up. The defense collapsed, transition chances increased, and eventually the perimeter game became easier.

The Thunder did not need to be hot from three because they controlled the game where it matters most, at the rim.

Now, with a 3-0 lead, Oklahoma City has the Lakers on the brink and the series all but finished.