Lakers vs. Thunder live score, updates, highlights from 2026 NBA playoffs Game 3 originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Oklahoma City Thunder head to Los Angeles looking to take full control of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Lakers on Saturday night after grabbing a 2-0 lead.
Oklahoma City rolled to a 125-107 victory in Game 2 on Friday behind 22 points from Chet Holmgren. The top-seeded Thunder have carried that momentum into the playoffs with strong play on both ends of the floor.
The Lakers will try to respond at home after struggling to slow Oklahoma City’s efficient offense. Los Angeles got 31 points from Austin Reaves in the last meeting, but the absence of Luka Doncic has put pressure on LeBron James and the supporting cast.
NBA PLAYOFFS HQ: Live scores | Full schedule | Updated bracket
Lakers vs. Thunder live updates, highlights from NBA playoffs Game 3
End of 1st Quarter: Thunder 31, Lakers 25
1st Quarter- 1:28: Cason Wallace hits 3-pointer with OKC up by 10. 31-21.
1st Quarter- 3:57: TV timeout. Thunder with a quick 5-0 run up 24-17.
1st Quarter- 4:49: Teams trade buckets with OKC up 17-15
1st Quarter- 6:27: Five quick points by OKC give them a 15-12 lead.
1st Quarter- 7:10: LeBron James jumper give LA 12-10 lead.
1st Quarter- 8:02: Every Lakers starter has scored except Austin Reaves.
LeBron James- 2 points
Rui Hachimura 3 points
Deandre Ayton 2 points
Marcus Smart 3 points
1st Quarter- 8:02: Lakers tie the game at 10 with Deandre Ayton alley oop dunk. TV timeout
1st Quarter- 9:20: OKC jumps out to a 8-5 lead in the early minutes.
15 seconds into the game with a foul and turnover. Lakers Deandre Ayton hits Chet Holmgren in the face on the tip. Holmgren travels.
Tip-off in LA: 1st Quarter 12:00
LeBron James is playing in his 301st NBA Playoff game of his 23-year career tonight. Lakers in white uniforms with purple letter and numbers with gold trim. Thunder wearing blue uniforms with white letter and numbers with orange trim.
Tip-off from LA delay due to TV commitments. Approx. 8:43 p.m. ET for start of Game 3.
More from Austin Reaves’ talk with the officials after Game 2
Monty McCutchen on the Austin Reaves/Lakers situation with John Goble after Game 2:
“We teach our officials to go to center court so we’re not leaving at the same time when emotions can run high. Most certainly, we want interactions to be professional there, I do think that had… https://t.co/m8AOrNPvaQ
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) May 10, 2026
King James is DIALED for Game 3 vs. OKC 😳👑
The Lakers look to get their first win of the series on ABC and the ESPN App at 8:30 ET 🍿 pic.twitter.com/FwGC2kmU3v
— ESPN (@espn) May 9, 2026
Jarred Vanderbilt is available for Game 3 vs. the Thunder, JJ Redick announced.
Vanderbilt fully dislocated his right pinky in Game 1 on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/RDhWkxQhLm
— ESPN (@espn) May 9, 2026
How to Watch Western Conference Semifinals: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Game 3
Saturday, May 9
Tip-off: 8:30 p.m. ET
TV: ABC (Available on Fubo TV)
Game 3 of the NBA Playoffs series between Lakers and Thunder is set to tip off at 8:30 p.m. ET from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.
Lakers vs. Thunder series schedule
Oklahoma City leads 2-0
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 5 | Game 1: Thunder 108, Lakers 90 | — | — |
| May 7 | Game 2: Thunder 125, Lakers 107 | — | — |
| May 9 | Game 3 at Los Angeles | 8:30 p.m. | ABC, ESPN app, DIRECTV |
| May 11 | Game 4 at Los Angeles | 10:30 p.m. | Prime Video |
| May 13 | Game 5* at Oklahoma City | TBA | TBA |
| May 16 | Game 6* at Los Angeles | TBA | TBA |
| May 18 | Game 7* at Oklahoma City | TBA | TBA |
* If necessary
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