Thunder lead Lakers in 3rd quarter: live score, updates, highlights from 2026 NBA Playoffs
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Thunder lead Lakers in 3rd quarter: live score, updates, highlights from 2026 NBA Playoffs originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Oklahoma City Thunder burst on the scene with the franchise's first NBA title last season. But perhaps the biggest test comes in the Western Conference semifinals series against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.
What we know about this matchup is youth vs. experience. While the Thunder reached the peak with MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, James, 41, is still going into Year 23 and trying to advance to play for LA's 18th championship in franchise history. There's a ton of basketball still yet to be decided, and some of it will depend on the status of Luka Doncic.
The Lakers star injured his left hamstring in Oklahoma City about a month ago and hasn’t played since. The league scoring champion averaged 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists in the regular season.
The Thunder respect the Lakers but this series will be physical and bring out a different side with a spot in the conference finals on the line. Lakers coach JJ Redick isn't overlooking OKC being a threat once again.
“It’s one of the greatest teams ever in NBA history,” Redick said. “That’s the reality. They are. They’re that good. I think our guys recognize that and respect that, and we know what kind of task we have in front of us.”
NBA PLAYOFFS HQ: Live scores | Full schedule | Updated bracket
Lakers vs. Thunder live updates, highlights from Game 1 of NBA playoffs
3rd Quarter- 4:35: TV Timeout. Thunder on a 7-0 run and increase lead to 76-65
3rd Quarter- 6:28: Lakers hitting timely 3's with Rui Hachimura connecting, cuts OKC lead to 69-65
3rd Quarter- 8:03: Lakers hanging around. Rui Hachimura triple cuts OKC's lead to 67-60.
3rd Quarter- 10:46: Both teams come out of the locker room trading points. 65-55 lead by OKC.
Halftime: Thunder 61, Lakers 53
Team Stats
| Halftime | LA | OKC |
|---|---|---|
| FG | 20-45 | 23-43 |
| Field Goal % | 44 | 53 |
| 3PT | 5-15 | 7-13 |
| Three Point % | 33 | 54 |
| FT | 8-10 | 8-9 |
| Free Throw % | 80 | 89 |
| Rebounds | 19 | 24 |
| Offensive Rebounds | 5 | 6 |
| Defensive Rebounds | 14 | 18 |
| Assists | 15 | 16 |
| Steals | 5 | 3 |
| Blocks | 4 | 3 |
| Total Turnovers | 7 | 8 |
| Points Off Turnovers | 5 | 7 |
| Fast Break Points | 9 | 7 |
| Points in Paint | 26 | 26 |
| Fouls | 9 | 8 |
| Technical Fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant Fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Largest Lead | 7 | 13 |
2nd Quarter- 20.9 seconds: Teams trade buckets with OKC up 61-53
2nd Quarter- 1:20: LeBron James steal and dunk cuts OKC lead to 58-51 before half
2nd Quarter- 2:51: Thunder on a 8-1 run to go up 56-43
2nd Quarter- 4:02: Thunder up 52-43 after Jaxson Hayes missed free throw.
2nd Quarter- 5:51: OKC lead 48-36. Jarred Vanderbilt defends a Chet Holmgren dunk and hits the bottom of the backboard violently. Taken to the locker room.
Jarred Vanderbilt appearing to grab his wrist
(via @AndrewKSchlecht) pic.twitter.com/AKWYHmEuST— Lakers Lead (@LakersLead) May 6, 2026
2nd Quarter- 6:53: Chet Holmgren hit 3-pointer 46-37 OKC leads
2nd Quarter- 8:07: Jarred Vanderbilt dunk with OKC lead 41-37
2nd Quarter- 8:49: Luke Kennard hits three free throws. Lakers on a 9-2 run 38-35
2nd Quarter- 9:46: Quick four points by the Lakers out of the timeout 36-30 OKC up
2nd Quarter- 10:36: TV timeout. Jared McCain pull up 3-pointer puts Thunder up 10. The largest lead by any team tonight 36-26.
End of 1st Quarter: Thunder 31, Lakers 26
1st Quarter- 0.06 seconds: Isaiah Joe floater puts OKC up 31-26
1st Quarter- 38.4 seconds: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander makes free throw a lay up 29-26 Thunder lead.
1st Quarter- 1:15: Teams trade buckets with the game tied at 24
1st Quarter- 2:37: TV timeout. Both teams are committing bad turnovers. In first nine minutes: Three a piece for Lakers and Thunder.
1st Quarter- 4:14: LeBron James goes to the bench with Lakers up 20-19 after Chet Holmgren's free throws.
1st Quarter- 5:04: Fastbreak dunk from LeBron James. 20-17 Lakers lead.
1st Quarter- 5:39:Rui Hachimura has a strong take to the basket for a layup 18-16 Lakers take the lead back.
1st Quarter- 6:56: TV timeout. LeBron James jumper ties game at 16.
1st Quarter- 7:13: Chet Holmgren hits a pair of free throws with OKC up 16-14.
1st Quarter- 8:17: Chet Holmgren nail a 3-pointer for Thunder 12-11 lead
1st Quarter- 8:35: Austin Reaves sinks two free throws for 11-9 lead
1st Quarter- 8:48: Thunder tie the game at 9.
1st Quarter- 10:30: Luguentz Dort puts OKC on the board with a 3-pointer. 7-3 Lakers lead
LEBRON JAMES DEEP THREE. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ioVPoaGD5a— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 6, 2026
1st Quarter- 10:58: LeBron James 3-pointer gives Lakers 7-0 lead.
1st Quarter- 11:46: LeBron James got right to the basket with a layup and foul (misses free throw) 2-0 Lakers.
Tip-off from Oklahoma City delayed for pregame will be approx. 8:44 p.m. ET
Game 1 starters in OKC: pic.twitter.com/BxtKnmq5zq— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) May 6, 2026
How to Watch Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Game 1 Western Conference Semifinals
Tuesday, May 5
Tip-off: 8:30 p.m. ET
TV: NBC/Peacock
More NBA Playoffs news:
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- Raptors need OT to outlast Cavaliers, force Game 7 in Cleveland
- T-Wolves crush Nuggets in six, advance to face Spurs in NBA PlayoffWes
- Knicks advance past Hawks with largest Playoff win in franchise history
- 76ers take Game 5 over Celtics in NBA playoffs
