Entering Saturday night, the Los Angeles Lakers found themselves in a 2-0 deficit to the Oklahoma City Thunder. LA being without Luka Dončić has made this series even more difficult.
LeBron James knows what it takes to win a series and ultimately a championship. He made it clear that the Thunder have what it takes, and the Lakers do not.
“You want me to compare us to them?” James said. “… That’s a championship team right there. We’re not. … We can’t sustain energy and effort for 48 minutes, and they can. That’s why they won the championship.”
In Game 3, the Thunder once again pulled away late to blow out the Lakers. This time, it was Ajay Mitchell who gave LA problems on the offensive end.
“It comes as no surprise that the Los Angeles Lakers are being lit up by an Oklahoma City Thunder guard through three games of their Western Conference semifinals series. But while the Lakers have actually succeeded in slowing reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — holding him to 21.0 points per game, more than 10 fewer than his season average — they don’t have any answers for second-year guard Ajay Mitchell,” ESPN’s Tim MacMahon wrote.
With the series feeling increasingly out of reach, Lakers head coach JJ Redick sent a message to his team, making it clear there would be no giving up.
“I’m not giving up on the series. We’re gonna go try to win on Monday. We’re gonna try and extend the series and we’re trying to take this thing back to OKC,” Redick told the media.
It is difficult to find hope or motivation when trailing 3-0 against the defending NBA champions. However, Redick is determined to get his veterans to buy in and at least force one more game.
The Lakers have been competitive through the first three quarters of each game before Oklahoma City pulls away late. Pride will need to be the driving force for Los Angeles if they hope to avoid being swept on Monday night.
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