The Los Angeles Lakers faced the Oklahoma City Thunder at home on May 12, ultimately falling 110-115 in a fiercely contested Game 4. Despite the loss, the Lakers gave everything they had, battling back multiple times. After trailing heavily in the second half, they mounted a late surge with Rui Hachimura converting a four-point play and Marcus Smart adding a three-point play, momentarily taking the lead. However, Chet Holmgren and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander answered with clutch scores, and Austin Reaves missed a potential game-tying three-pointer at the buzzer, sealing the Lakers’ 0-4 series sweep.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was unstoppable, posting 35 points, 1 rebound, and 8 assists, including 12-of-15 from the free-throw line. After the game, he spoke bluntly about the team’s mindset: “Everything we’ve achieved is in the past. We haven’t reached our ultimate goal yet. To achieve that, we need to win two more series. That’s what we’re focused on.” Clearly, Alexander and the Thunder are not satisfied with merely sweeping two playoff rounds; their eyes remain fixed on the championship.
LeBron James finished with 24 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 assists. Reflecting on the season, he opened up: “I gave everything I had on the floor and
