The Thunder can end this series on Monday night.
The Oklahoma City Thunder pulled off a dominant Game 3 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers and now have a chance to close out the series on Monday night with an opportunity to make it to the Western Conference Finals for the second straight season.
But tonight was yet again a game that the Thunder started fairly slow. In fact, just like in Game 2, OKC was trailing at halftime in Game 3. But the third quarter completely shifted this game.
Yet again, it was almost an identical scenario to Game 2. In the third quarter, Oklahoma City had a 33-20 advantage, completely flipping the game and taking a double-digit lead going into the final frame. Then came pure dominance in the fourth quarter as well, with the Thunder winning that period 41-29 as the Lakers emptied the bench and waved the white flag with a little over three minutes left.
In this game in particular, Ajay Mitchell was the hero.
It’s been a series in which Los Angeles has intentionally game-planned around taking Shai Gilgeous-Alexander out of rhythm, putting multiple bodies on him all game long and forcing others around him to beat them. Every game, it’s been a different guy, but tonight it was Mitchell with 24 points, 10 assists and zero turnovers. He shot 10-of-17 from the floor and was the Thunder’s best player, for all intents and purposes, in this game.
He’s been phenomenal all series, guarding Austin Reaves and shutting him down for the most part. Tonight, the offense was there as well.
Gilgeous-Alexander did have 23 points and nine assists, though he shot 7-of-20 from the floor. Chet Holmgren had 18, Cason Wallace scored 16, and Isaiah Joe and Isaiah Hartenstein each had 12 apiece. Lu Dort rounded out a group of seven players who scored in double figures for the Thunder.
What kept the Lakers in it early was first-half shooting. They shot 11-of-20 from beyond the arc in the first half, but then just 3-of-10 in the second half, which effectively leveled the playing field for the Thunder. It was only a matter of time, but the better team came around and did what was expected.
Now, Monday night brings Game 4 in Los Angeles and a chance for Oklahoma City to punch its ticket to the Western Conference Finals.