Why Lakers’ LeBron James isn’t ‘angry or disappointed’ down 3-0 to the Thunder

May 10, 2026 - 05:45

History says the Los Angeles Lakers are done and dusted. No team in NBA history has ever climbed out of a 3-0 hole, and after a 131-108 shellacking at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night, most of Hollywood is already looking toward the offseason.

But don’t tell that to LeBron James.

While fans and media pundits are ready to start the autopsy on the Lakers’ season, James remained surprisingly stoic following the Game 3 blowout. Despite the 23-point margin and the reality of a looming sweep, the four-time champion isn’t ready to throw in the towel or vent his frustrations just yet.

“I’m not angry or disappointed,” James told reporters after the loss. “I mean, disappointed in the simple fact that being down 3-0 obviously, but we still got life and that’s all you can ask for and we gotta be much better on Monday.”

LeBron James after going down 3-0:
“I’m not angry or disappointed” pic.twitter.com/0S5P17Hf80
— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) May 10, 2026

The “life” James refers to felt more like a faint pulse on Friday. The Lakers struggled to contain an OKC squad that is currently a perfect 7-0 in these playoffs. Rui Hachimura provided a spark with 21 points, and Austin Reaves tallied 17 points and nine assists, but L.A. simply couldn’t trade buckets with the Thunder’s track team.

Ajay Mitchell led the charge for the visitors with 24 points, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander orchestrated the offense with 22 points and eight assists.

James finished the night with 19 points and eight assists, but his message afterward was clear: panic helps no one. The Lakers’ defense allowed the Thunder to shoot the lights out at Crypto.com Arena, and the team’s inability to stop the ball in transition proved fatal.

Now, the Purple and Gold head into a do-or-die Monday night matchup. James knows the odds are stacked against him, but he’s betting on that sliver of hope. If the Lakers want to avoid the brooms, they’ll need a vintage performance from the King and a defensive effort that actually makes OKC sweat.

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