Marcus Smart didn’t hide the reality after the Los Angeles Lakers fell 131-108 to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday. The loss pushed Los Angeles into a 3-0 series deficit against the defending champions.
Smart pointed directly to urgency and mentality when asked how the team responds in elimination territory. “We got to stay with it. Got to be even more desperate than we are. We got to stay together and stay composed and just leave it all, what we call empty the tank. Just leave it all in.”
The Lakers once again showed competitive stretches before Oklahoma City’s third-quarter surge broke the game open. Smart described the challenge in simple terms. “We got to stay with it.”
Los Angeles led in phases of the first half, but the same issue resurfaced after halftime. Oklahoma City outscored the Lakers 33-20 in the third quarter, extending a series-wide pattern that has defined the matchup.
Smart acknowledged the difficulty of solving those mid-game swings. “If I could tell you, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. We’re trying to figure it out. They’re throwing a lot at us on the fly, throwing different coverages, trying things.”
The guard also credited Oklahoma City’s structure and adaptability. “They got a really good staff, really good players, and a really good system that everybody buys into, and it makes it tough on you.”
Ajay Mitchell led the Thunder with 24 points and 10 assists, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 23 points and nine assists. Oklahoma City improved to 7-0 in the postseason and has now beaten Los Angeles seven straight times this season.
Smart highlighted how the Thunder’s scoring profile creates pressure without relying solely on perimeter shooting. “Both teams did a good job of getting in the paint, controlling the paint, scoring in the paint. The threes aren’t going to kill you. But if you’re giving up paint points like that and threes, then that’s when it starts to get out of hand.”
Oklahoma City’s ability to stack runs has been the defining factor of the series. Smart called it one of the hardest elements to handle. “It’s unique. Definitely unique. That’s why they’re the defending champs.”
Despite the 0-3 deficit, Smart rejected any notion of looking beyond the current moment or roster uncertainty. “To be honest, I haven’t even thought about it. Trying not to get my ass kicked too much out there. That’s where my focus is.”
The Lakers now face elimination pressure heading into Game 4 on Monday night in Los Angeles, needing to extend the series against a Thunder team that has controlled every decisive stretch so far.
