What happened
The Oklahoma City Thunder moved to the brink of the Western Conference Finals on Sunday with a victory over the Los Angeles Lakers to take a 3-0 series lead. General Manager Sam Presti was on hand to celebrate with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the roster as they continued their undefeated postseason run. The Thunder have now won seven straight games to open their title defense.
Why it matters
The victory reinforces Oklahoma City's status as the most dominant force in the 2026 NBA playoffs, having yet to lose a game across two rounds. For the Lakers, the 3-0 deficit is historically insurmountable, as no NBA team has ever returned from such a margin to win a series. This dominant performance suggests the Thunder are well-positioned to repeat as NBA champions.
The data edge
Oklahoma City is 7-0 in the 2026 postseason after sweeping the first round and taking the first three games against Los Angeles. The Thunder lead the series 3-0.
What to watch
The Thunder will look to complete the sweep and advance to the Western Conference Finals in Game 4. Los Angeles must win at home to keep their season alive.