The Los Angeles Lakers have entered NBA history - but not the kind LeBron James dreams of. The team became the first in league history to lead at halftime in two consecutive playoff games and lose both with a combined margin of over 40 points.

In the third game of the series against Oklahoma City Thunder, the Lakers went into the break up 59-57, and then completely fell apart. Final score 131-108 for the hosts. The same scenario in the second game - 58-57 at halftime, 125-107 loss at the end. A collapse made for a scriptwriter.

On the opposing bench, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is leading the most dominant team in the league. Thunder finished the regular season with 64 wins, the best mark in the NBA, and in the playoffs they're carrying the same rhythm. No losses, with an average margin of 18.3 points per game. Last year's champion looks even stronger this season.

For LeBron the series is practically over. Thunder lead 3-0 and one win separates them from the Western Conference finals - second time in a row. With no Luka Dončić in rhythm, no defence that can hold Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren, no bench depth - the Lakers look like a team waiting for the season to end.