LOS ANGELES – In a thrilling Game 4 of the NBA playoffs, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander propelled the Oklahoma City Thunder to a decisive 115-110 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, completing a series sweep. Gilgeous-Alexander showcased his scoring prowess with 35 points, while rookie Chet Holmgren delivered a crucial tiebreaking dunk with just 32.8 seconds remaining, sealing the win for the Thunder.
Ajay Mitchell also made a significant impact, scoring 10 of his 28 points in the final quarter, helping the Thunder maintain their perfect playoff record of 8-0. “We’ve done our job so far, that’s all it really means,” Gilgeous-Alexander remarked. “We’ve gone out there, we’ve executed, we’ve played at a high level and we’ve been able to win eight tough games against really good opponents. That’s all it means. Nothing is guaranteed.”
LeBron James, in what could be his final playoff appearance, contributed 24 points and 14 rebounds. However, a missed driving bank shot with 20 seconds left prevented the Lakers from taking the lead. The 41-year-old NBA legend has yet to announce his future in the league, adding a layer of uncertainty to the Lakers’ offseason. “I don’t know what the future holds for me, obviously, as it stands right now, tonight,” James said. “I’ve got a lot of time. I’ll go back and recalibrate with my family and talk with them, and when the time goes, obviously you guys will know what I decide to do.”
Austin Reaves, another standout for the Lakers, scored 27 points but missed a potential game-tying three-pointer with eight seconds left. Despite their early playoff struggles, the Lakers managed to advance one round further than many anticipated, overcoming injuries to key players like NBA scoring champion Luka Doncic.
After losing six of their last seven playoff games, the Lakers fell short of reaching the conference finals for the third consecutive season. Lakers coach JJ Redick expressed disappointment: “I didn’t want our season to end. I wanted to keep this thing going. I enjoyed every bit of this year.”
The Thunder faced their first fourth-quarter deficits of the playoffs but managed to hold off the resilient Lakers. Coach Mark Daigneault acknowledged the challenge, stating, “They won more of the minutes tonight than we did, and that hadn’t been the case (earlier in the series). They’re a really good team with prideful players. We did not expect them to give us an unearned win, and we went out and earned it.”
Oklahoma City achieved a remarkable 8-0 record against the Lakers this season, winning all four regular-season matchups. This particular game proved to be the toughest, as the Lakers fought hard to stay competitive, with Rui Hachimura contributing nine of his 25 points in the fourth quarter. Holmgren’s dunk with 2:03 left put the Thunder ahead, but Hachimura’s subsequent four-point play gave the Lakers a brief lead.
In the final moments, Holmgren’s crucial dunk followed by Gilgeous-Alexander’s free throws solidified the Thunder’s victory, marking their sixth appearance in the Western Conference finals in the last 16 seasons. The Thunder had previously dominated the series, winning both home games by 18 points each and securing a commanding 131-108 victory in Game 3.
As the Thunder prepare for the conference finals, they await the outcome of the second-round series between the San Antonio Spurs and the Minnesota Timberwolves, which heads to a decisive Game 5 on Tuesday night. Meanwhile, the Lakers will reflect on a season filled with both promise and disappointment, particularly as they navigate the uncertain future following another early playoff exit.
Doncic, who missed the last 15 games of the Lakers’ season due to a significant injury, was seen watching the game from the sidelines, a reminder of the challenges faced this season. As the playoffs continue, both teams will look to recalibrate and prepare for the next chapter, with the Thunder riding high on their success and the Lakers facing a pivotal offseason.
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