The Oklahoma City Thunder are doing more than just winning—they're systematically dismantling the Los Angeles Lakers, and the basketball world is taking notice.
Through the first three games of their Western Conference semifinals series, the Lakers haven't just lost; they've been overwhelmed. While they showed flashes of competitiveness, particularly in Games 2 and 3, the Thunder have completely taken over in the second halves of every contest. Now, with a sweep looming, few believe LeBron James and company can muster even a single victory.
The absence of Luka Dončić has left the Lakers without the firepower to truly challenge the defending NBA champions. But according to ESPN analyst and former NBA center Kendrick Perkins, even a fully healthy Lakers squad would still come up short.
"They're laughing at the Lakers," Perkins said after LA's 131-108 loss on Saturday. "They were laughing at them when they had their fellowship moment after Game 2 in Oklahoma City with the officials. Look, the Lakers just don't stand a chance. They don't match up to the champs. They're full of two-way guys."
Perkins highlighted the Thunder's superior depth and athleticism, pointing out that LA simply cannot keep pace. He specifically called out Austin Reaves, who has been targeted repeatedly on defense. "What happened was they got exposed from a personnel standpoint," Perkins explained. "It showed that the Lakers are just not athletic enough to keep up with these top dogs in the league, especially Austin Reaves. He was picked on time and time again defensively."
The former big man also noted LeBron James' body language as a telling sign. "This series is over. You saw LeBron James' body language. He can kill this, and he's trying not to stretch himself out. There's no way in hell they're trying to get back on their plane and go back for a Game 5 in Oklahoma City."
For Lakers fans, the harsh reality is setting in: this isn't just a bad series—it's a full-blown exposure of the team's roster limitations. As the Thunder continue to assert their dominance, the question becomes not whether LA can win, but how they'll rebuild to compete with the NBA's elite.