Luke Kennard didn’t hold back after the Los Angeles Lakers’ 131-108 Game 3 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night at Crypto.com Arena.
“They’re a really good team with a really good coach. There’s no room for error against them,” Kennard said when asked about the defending champions’ ability to adjust during a series.
Oklahoma City improved to 7-0 in the postseason, extending their dominant run over the Lakers. Kennard pointed directly to the consistency gap between the two sides. “We know that. Obviously, we need to have more awareness going into the next game,” he added.
The Thunder once again took control in the third quarter, outscoring Los Angeles 33-20—a pattern Kennard admitted has defined the series. “Especially that second half, and the third quarter in particular, has been killing us. It’s on our minds.”
Los Angeles led at halftime thanks to efficient shot creation and ball movement, but Oklahoma City’s defensive pressure and transition game quickly erased that advantage. “They’re very good at capitalizing on your mistakes,” Kennard said.
Turnovers became the clearest dividing line. The Lakers gave up 30 points off turnovers, many leading to fast-break scores. “If you’re going to have turnovers, we have to get back, find a way to make a play on the ball and get a stop. Thirty points is way too many,” he noted.
Kennard also highlighted Oklahoma City’s roster flexibility as a major challenge for game planning. “When a team can adjust like that—they need shooting on the floor? Great. They need multiple wing defenders? Great. It’s just a terrific basketball team.”
Despite the frustration, he rejected the idea that adjustments alone are the issue. “It’s definitely on us too. We’ve shown what we can do, especially in those first halves. We’ve done some really good things,” he said, noting how Los Angeles has repeatedly built leads before fading.
The Lakers shot 46% from three-point range, but Kennard stressed that execution consistency remains the separator. “We have to move without the ball because they’re a great defensive team. They get their hands on the ball a lot and cause many turnovers.”
Kennard, who scored 18 points, also pointed to spacing and shot selection as positives to carry into Game 4. “They’ve been giving up some kickout threes. As shooters, we have to be ready to shoot because they leave some open, and we need to knock them down.”
He emphasized the need for adjustments to survive the series. “We’ll get together tomorrow and look at it. We have to come with a sense of pride back on our home court.”
With Oklahoma City one win away from taking full control of the series, Kennard’s message was clear: the Lakers’ margin for error is gone, and the details are deciding everything.
JJ Redick delivers blunt reality as Lakers face Thunder dominance and 0-3 hole
Thunder just exposed every Lakers problem — and now a sweep feels inevitable
Thunder vs Lakers Game 3 injury report
Jay Williams blasts one Lakers-Thunder call and says Game 2 officiating was “worst in a long time”
Marcus Smart drops truth bombs on Lakers’ 0-2 hole vs Thunder in playoffs