The defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder are headed back to the Western Conference finals after eliminating the Los Angeles Lakers with a 115-110 victory in Game 4 on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. Led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his 35-point performance, Oklahoma City completed a second-round sweep and improved to a perfect 8-0 this postseason.
Unlike the first three games — all comfortable Thunder wins — Game 4 turned into a late battle. The Lakers clawed back in the fourth quarter behind strong outings from Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and Jaxson Hayes. A three-point play by Marcus Smart gave Los Angeles a 110-109 lead with under a minute remaining.
But Oklahoma City answered immediately. Chet Holmgren delivered the game’s defining moment with a powerful dunk with 32.8 seconds left, putting the Thunder back in front for good. After that, LeBron James missed a potential go-ahead shot, and Reaves came up short on a late tying three. Holmgren finished with 16 points and nine rebounds, while Ajay Mitchell added 28 points, including 10 in the final quarter. Oklahoma City also managed the sweep despite injuries limiting Jalen Williams during the playoffs.
James closed the night with 24 points and 14 rebounds in what may have been the final game of his historic 23rd NBA season. The 41-year-old has not confirmed whether he plans to return next year. The series marked only the fourth playoff sweep of his career and the second in the last four seasons.
The Thunder will now face either the San Antonio Spurs or the Minnesota Timberwolves in the conference finals, with that series currently tied 2-2.
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