Ajay Mitchell delivered the best performance of his young career Saturday, scoring 24 points and dishing out 10 assists without a turnover as the Oklahoma City Thunder routed the Los Angeles Lakers 131-108 in Game 3. The victory pushed Oklahoma City to the brink of a second consecutive sweep despite an ordinary series from reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Mitchell, 23, is averaging 20.7 points, 6.7 assists and just 1.0 turnover per game while shooting 53.3 percent in the three wins. He has started in place of Jalen Williams, who is recovering from a left hamstring strain suffered in the first round against the Phoenix Suns.

"We all know on the team that he's good," Williams told ESPN. "And now the world is kind of finding out."

In Game 3, Mitchell joined Magic Johnson, Chris Paul and Tyrese Haliburton as the only players since 1990 to record at least 20 points, 10 assists and three steals without a turnover in a playoff game.

Mitchell also held Austin Reaves to 5-of-13 shooting, including 2-of-7 as his primary defender.

"Reaves is obviously an incredibly tough cover and he's made him earn everything," Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said.

The Lakers have now lost three consecutive playoff games by at least 15 points for the first time in franchise history, despite holding Gilgeous-Alexander to 21.0 points per game, more than 10 below his season average.

"The MVP is held to 18, 22, 7-of-20 tonight, and they've kicked our ass three straight games," Lakers coach J.J. Redick said. "They're an incredible basketball team."

Oklahoma City has outscored opponents by 128 points through seven postseason games, the best mark by a defending NBA champion in league history.

The Thunder are 10.5 point favorites ahead of Game 4 on Monday.