Thunder vs. Lakers live updates: 2026 NBA playoffs Game 3 start time, picks and predictions

Atlantic76ersCelticsKnicksNetsRaptorsCentralBucksBullsCavaliersPacersPistonsSoutheastHawksHeatHornetsMagicWizardsSouthwestGrizzliesMavericksPelicansRocketsSpursNorthwestJazzNuggetsThunderTimberwolvesTrail BlazersPacificClippersKingsLakersSunsWarriorsScores & ScheduleStandingsThe Bounce NewsletterNBA DraftPodcastsFantasyNBA OddsNBA PicksMeet KAT's Biggest FanLottery Reform Is OverdueWhat Makes Up Championship DNA?Latest Mock DraftNBA Playoffs The Oklahoma City Thunder lead the Los Angeles Lakers 2-0 in the Western Conference semifinals as the series shifts to L.A. for Game 3. The Thunder have two convincing wins in the series despite subpar performances from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander due to the Lakers’ defensive focus on the reigning MVP. Meanwhile, it’s up to LeBron James and Austin Reaves to get the Lakers back into the series on home court with Luka Dončić unlikely to return this round. Follow all our coverage from our NBA experts at The Athletic. How will the Lakers perform on their home court? Can OKC win a championship without Jalen Williams if necessary? Will this be LeBron James' final series with the Lakers? We’d love to hear from you tonight and throughout our NBA playoffs coverage. Get involved and send us your thoughts at live@theathletic.com, and we will take the best contributions and feature them right here. The NBA playoffs continue tonight, but there is plenty more going on around the NBA. The NFL offseason is heating up, and the NHL playoffs are rolling along, as well. We will have all that, and more, covered at The Athletic. Get your subscription here to make sure you get all of our terrific coverage. Tonight’s game will be broadcast by ABC. You can stream the game on Fubo. Game 3 of this second-round series between the Lakers and Thunder is set to tip off shortly after 8:30 p.m. ET. That is a 5:30 p.m. start in Los Angeles. Welcome to The Athletic’s coverage of Game 3 of this Western Conference semifinal series as the reigning NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, travel to Southern California to play LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. The Thunder have won the first two games in this series by double digits against a shorthanded Lakers squad, which will now try to avoid going down 3-0 on home court. Follow along from now through the final buzzer and beyond for the latest news, analysis, reaction, play-by-play and more.