Key Takeaways:
- Oklahoma City Thunder completed an 8-0 run in the playoffs by defeating the Los Angeles Lakers 115-110
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 35 points, while Chet Holmgren’s late dunk with 32.8 seconds left sealed the victory
- LeBron James, at 41, concluded his 23rd season with 24 points and 14 rebounds in the Lakers’ final game of the playoffs
Game Analysis
The Oklahoma City Thunder delivered a resilient performance to secure a 115-110 win against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4 on Monday night, thereby sweeping their second-round NBA playoff series. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander spearheaded the Thunder’s efforts with 35 points, while Ajay Mitchell added a decisive 28 points, including 10 in the frantic fourth quarter, as Oklahoma City advanced undefeated after their toughest post-season challenge yet.
Chet Holmgren’s tiebreaking dunk with just 32.8 seconds left in the match put the Thunder ahead, and ensured that they maintained their flawless playoff record. The Lakers, led by LeBron James with 24 points and 14 rebounds, gave a spirited performance. However, James, who is yet to confirm his intentions for next season, missed a crucial driving bank shot with 20 seconds remaining that could have reversed the outcome.
Series secured 😤 WCF up next pic.twitter.com/yCdewToae1
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) May 12, 2026
Lakers’ Efforts and Key Moments
Austin Reaves was instrumental for the Lakers, contributing 27 points, but fell short of forcing overtime with a missed three-pointer with eight seconds left. The Lakers, who exceeded expectations by reaching the second round, had been plagued by injuries to both Reaves and NBA scoring champion Luka Doncic a month earlier. Despite leading in the fourth quarter – the first such deficit faced by Oklahoma City in this post-season – Los Angeles could not stave off defeat and finished having lost six of their final seven playoff fixtures.
Rui Hachimura also played a pivotal role, especially in the fourth quarter, scoring nine of his 25 points. Key moments included Hachimura’s four-point play in response to Holmgren’s late dunk, and Marcus Smart’s converted three-point play in the closing minute that temporarily gave the Lakers a 110-109 lead. However, Holmgren was decisive in the dying seconds, finishing inside to reclaim the advantage for the Thunder and ultimately sealing the Lakers’ fate.
Thunder’s Dominance and Playoff Outlook
Monday’s battle marked the Thunder’s eighth victory over the Lakers this season, including four regular-season wins, but proved to be their most challenging yet. Oklahoma City maintains momentum with an 8-0 playoff record, posting earlier victories at home by 18 points apiece and producing a dominant 131-108 result in Game 3.
Awaiting a conference finals showdown, the Thunder now await the winner between San Antonio and Minnesota, whose series stands level with Game 5 scheduled for Tuesday night. This will mark Oklahoma City’s sixth Western Conference finals appearance in the past 16 seasons.
| Team | Points | Top Scorer | Series Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 115 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (35) | Won 4-0 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 110 | Austin Reaves (27) | Lost 0-4 |
Injury Update and Player Outlook
Luka Doncic was sidelined for the final 15 games of the Lakers’ season due to a grade 2 hamstring strain suffered on 2 April in Oklahoma City. Watching the finale from the bench in a black sweatsuit, reports indicate that the Slovenian star was never close to a return, with the injury typically requiring two months’ recovery time.
As the Thunder progress, the Lakers’ campaign ends short of the conference finals for the third consecutive season.
