Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points as the visitors advanced to the Western Conference finals with a 115-110 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, completing a four-game sweep in what potentially was LeBron James’ final game.
The defending NBA champions shot 51.9% from the floor, while the Lakers shot 50.7%. Oklahoma City won all eight games against Los Angeles in 2025-2026, including the regular season.
The Lakers trailed by as many as 12 points in the third quarter before going on a 22-9 run to take a 76-75 lead with 2:03 left in the period after getting seven consecutive points from Reaves. Los Angeles extended its advantage to 84-80 heading into the fourth.
The Lakers led 92-87 before Mitchell capped an 8-0 run with a three-point play to give Oklahoma City a 95-92 lead with 6:14 remaining. A four-point play from Hachimura, followed by a three-point play from Marcus Smart, put the Lakers up 110-109 with 40.9 seconds remaining.
A dunk from Holmgren gave the Thunder a 111-110 lead with 32.8 seconds left. Gilgeous-Alexander made two free throws with 12.2 seconds remaining for a 113-110 lead, and Reaves missed what would have been a game-tying 3-point attempt with 8.3 seconds left.
Mitchell put the game away by sinking two free throws with 6.4 seconds to go.
“I mean, we’ve done our job so far,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “That’s all it really means. Gone out there, we’ve executed, we played at a high level.”
“And been able to win eight tough games against really good opponents. That’s all it really means and nothing’s guaranteed.”
James, 41, amassed 24 points and 12 rebounds. He is now set to become an unrestricted free agent after a record 23 seasons in the league.
“I don’t know what the future holds for me obviously as it stands right now tonight,” James said. “I got a lot of time to sit back like I think I said last year after we lost.”
Oklahoma City is set to face the Minnesota Timberwolves or the San Antonio Spurs in the next round.
