Adou Thiero on getting on the court in Game 3

In Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday, the Los Angeles Lakers were facing a virtual must-win situation. With forward Jarred Vanderbilt nursing a dislocated finger, coach JJ Redick went to rookie forward Adou Thiero late in the first quarter, and Thiero went to work immediately on the boards.

Early in the fourth quarter, as center Deandre Ayton seemed to be putting forth a half-hearted effort, Thiero came back into the game. In all, the University of Arkansas product played 13 minutes and led the Lakers with eight rebounds while also contributing four points and one assist. He was one bright spot in the team's 131-108 loss that placed it one loss away from elimination.

Thiero told the media how it felt to finally get meaningful playing time, especially in such a crucial playoff game.

“I mean, just thinking about it, I prayed for moments like these and worked for moments like these, so just to get that opportunity has been special and go out there and do what I can for the guys,” he said.

During the regular season, the rookie mostly played only sparingly in garbage time and averaged 1.9 points and 1.1 rebounds in six minutes a game. The 2025 second-round draft choice also appeared in just 25 games, as he dealt with injury issues dating back to late in his last season with the Razorbacks.