Lakers Fall 131-108 to Thunder as Is Lebron Retiring Looms

The Lakers lost 131-108 to the Thunder on Saturday night, and is lebron retiring chatter only got louder after Los Angeles fell behind 3-0 in the Western Conference semifinals. LeBron James said the team still has life, but the loss left the Lakers one game from elimination.

LeBron James at Crypto.com Arena

James spent nearly 11 of the 12 minutes in the third quarter on the floor, but he made one shot in that stretch and finished with no rebounds and one turnover. He missed 12 of 19 shots overall and four of six three-point attempts, then posted a minus-24 rating in a game the Lakers needed to control after a one-point halftime deficit.

The third quarter turned the night. Oklahoma City turned that one-point margin into a 13-point lead, and Los Angeles never got back close enough to change the game’s shape before the Thunder closed it out at Crypto.com Arena.

Thunder Take Control

The Thunder’s 3-0 series lead leaves the Lakers with no room left for another slow start, especially with Luka Doncic absent from the series. James, who has played in a record 300 playoff games, was asked about the defeat and pointed straight at the lack of push that let Oklahoma City separate.

“The third quarter, we’ll start with that,” James said. “We didn’t have the energy, the effort.” He added, “I wouldn’t say I’m angry or disappointed,” then said, “I mean, obviously you’re disappointed in the simple fact of, like, being down 3-0 obviously.”

Game 4 on Monday Night

James tried to keep the door open. “But I mean, you know, we still got life and that’s all you can ask for,” he said, as the Lakers head into Game 4 on Monday night needing to extend the series just to keep the season alive.