Plaschke: Where's LeBron? As Laker season vanishes, he again disappears

6 min Click here to listen to this article Share via Close extra sharing options Email Facebook X LinkedIn Threads Reddit WhatsApp Copy Link URL Copied! Print 0:00 0:00 1x This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here. They possessed a halftime lead with one of the most accomplished playoff players in NBA history. They possessed the best scorer in NBA history at the controls of a sizzling offense in a loud arena against a team that had every reason to pack it in. To those who witnessed the first three games of these Western Conference semifinals between the Luka Doncic-less Lakers and the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, it is no surprise that the Thunder lead three games to none. What is shocking is that, with a 131-108 win Saturday night at Crypto.com Arena, the Thunder steamrolled to victory over the prone body of an NBA legend. The Lakers let another halftime lead slip away in the second half on Saturday night at Crypto.com Arena. Game 4 is Monday night. They applied the dagger directly through the heart of LeBron James. As in both earlier games in this series, the Thunder treated a Lakers lead like a pesky gnat, swatting it away with a casual flick as if it never existed. This time it happened in a third quarter during which the Thunder turned a one-point halftime deficit into a13-point lead that was never again challenged. This time it happened with James, despite being on the court for nearly 11 of the 12 minutes in the quarter, making all of one shot with no rebounds, one turnover and a minus-13 rating. “The third quarter, we’ll start with that,” James acknowledged afterward. “We didn’t have the energy, the effort.” Indeed, he looked tired. He looked 41. He looked like a guy who, having played in a record 300 playoff games, was having trouble clearing the hurdle of 301. Lakers forward LeBron James catches his breath during a break in play against the Thunder in Game 3 on Saturday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) For the game, he missed 12 of 19 shots, four of six three-point attempts, had zero offensive rebounds and equaled a team-low with a minus-24 in 33 fewer minutes. Translated: His son Bronny had only six fewer baskets. “I wouldn’t say I’m angry or disappointed,” LeBron said. “I mean, obviously you’re disappointed in the simple fact of, like, being down 3-0 obviously. But I mean, you know, we still got life and that’s all you can ask for.” Well, one could ask for James to turn back time, but he’s already done that this spring. Remember, he literally saved the Lakers from epic embarrassment with a Game 6 clinching gem in the first round against the Houston Rockets. But without the enormously impactful Doncic, his task has proven too tenuous, his responsibilities too unwieldy, his miracle too unworkable. This time, LeBron James isn’t getting it done. Lakers forward LeBron James slaps hands with coach JJ Redick on his way to the bench in a blowout loss to the Thunder in Game 3 on Saturday night. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) Not only are the Lakers facing an historical impossibility — you’ll remember that NBA teams leading three-games-to-none are 161-0 — but they’re already bearing the weight of an historical humiliation. The Thunders’ 74-49 second-half scoring advantage marks the second-worst second half beatdown of the Lakers since they came to Los Angeles 65 years ago. This series isn’t even close. From the opening tip last week, it has never been in any serious doubt. “I mean, obviously we gotta [give] everything,” James said. “Everything and more to beat a team like this.” Ah, but they’ve run out of, “and more” and James knows it. For the Lakers to have any chance without the league’s leading scorer — isn’t it constantly maddening seeing the hamstring-strained Doncic sitting on the bench in a fancy sweat suit? — they needed superhuman efforts from James and second-leading scorer Austin Reaves. Reaves, sigh, has clearly been unable to overcome his oblique injury and playoff demons. He was lousy again Saturday with five baskets and five turnovers and a bunch of guff for the officials. Lakers guard Austin Reaves, right, throws his hand into the air as he complains about a non-call during Game 3 against the Thunder on Saturday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) This left the major hauling to James, who’s not officially hurt, but here’s guessing his whole body is hurting. He’s not officially exhausted, but here’s guessing his whole body is tired. He’s not officially a senior citizen, but in NBA terms he’s definitely a senior citizen and during the most important moments of Saturday’s game, he acted like it. In a third quarter that featured the beginning of a 21-5 Thunder run, in one damning sequence James missed consecutive layups and was passive on a pass from Reaves that became a turnover, which turned into another Oklahoma City basket. For the game, f

Plaschke: Where's LeBron? As Laker season vanishes, he again disappears

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