The Oklahoma City Thunder are headed to the Western Conference Finals after finishing off the Los Angeles Lakers with a hard-fought 115-110 win in Game 4.
The Thunder, who led for nearly 70% of the contest, appeared firmly in control late in the fourth quarter, holding a 109-103 advantage with just 2:06 remaining. However, the Lakers — showing more fight than at any point earlier in the postseason — responded with a 7-0 run to briefly reclaim the lead.
Oklahoma City answered immediately. Chet Holmgren delivered a thunderous go-ahead slam that swung momentum back in the Thunder’s favor for good. Late opportunities from LeBron James and Austin Reaves to tie or retake the lead both came up empty, allowing Oklahoma City to complete the sweep.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander turned in his best performance of the series, both statistically and from an overall command standpoint, looking every bit like the MVP-caliber player he had been throughout the regular season. Gilgeous-Alexander poured in 35 points on 11-of-22 shooting while orchestrating the Thunder offense throughout the night.
Ajay Mitchell continued his impressive postseason run, adding 28 points on an efficient 12-of-19 from the floor. Holmgren added 16 points and 9 rebounds, including the critical late-game dunk that sealed the victory.
Austin Reaves paced the Lakers with 27 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists, though he also committed 8 turnovers. Rui Hachimura continued his strong postseason play with 25 points, including 9 in the fourth quarter and a pivotal four-point play that helped spark the Lakers’ comeback attempt. Hachimura shot an impressive 55.2% from three-point range during the series.
LeBron James added 24 points and 12 rebounds in what could potentially be his final game as a Laker — or even his final NBA game. Jaxson Hayes chipped in 18 points and 6 rebounds while once again outplaying starting center Deandre Ayton, who struggled with just 6 points and 3 rebounds in 21 minutes of action.
The Thunder remain undefeated this postseason and now await the winner of the San Antonio Spurs–Minnesota Timberwolves series in the Western Conference Finals. That matchup is currently tied 2-2, with a pivotal Game 5 scheduled for Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m. CST.
For the Lakers, the offseason arrives with significant uncertainty. Rui Hachimura, Jaxson Hayes, Maxi Kleber, Luke Kennard, and LeBron James all face looming free agency decisions.
Following the loss, the 41-year-old James was noncommittal regarding his future.
“I don’t know what the future holds for me, obviously, as it stands right now tonight. I’ll sit back — like I think I said it last year after we lost to Minnesota there — go back and recalibrate with my family, and talk with them, and spend some time with them, and then when the time comes, obviously, you guys will know what I decided to do.”
