Thunder Withhold the 25-26 Lakers to Complete the Series Win and Sweep
The Oklahoma City Thunder finished a 4-0 sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night, winning 115-110 in a game that was much closer than the previous three blowouts. This victory brings Oklahoma City to an 8-0 record in the 2026 playoffs. Similar to Game Three, the Thunder overwhelmed the Lakers with their depth, having won the first three games by an average of over 20 points. Game Four required them to perform under high-pressure moments. For the first time this postseason, the Thunder faced a fourth-quarter deficit, showing they can stay composed under pressure as they advance to the Western Conference Finals. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander highlighted why he’s the reigning MVP, scoring 35 points and controlling the game when the Lakers tried to extend the series. The most notable play was Chet Holmgren's dunk with 32.8 seconds left, which silenced the Crypto.com Arena crowd. Holmgren's elite rim protection and transition scoring have been key for OKC.
James Closes Out His 23rd Season
At 41 years old, LeBron James completed his impressive 23rd season, scoring 24 points and securing 14 rebounds in Game Four. Though he missed a key driving bank shot with 20 seconds left that could have given the Lakers the lead, his durability remains an extraordinary statistical achievement. This postseason run allowed James to reach milestones that may never be matched again. In the first round, he became the first NBA player to surpass 50,000 career points. He also surpassed Robert Parish for the most total games played in league history. During the 2026 postseason, he averaged about 23.2 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, continuing to perform at an elite level even in his 23rd NBA season.
The Emergence of Mitchell
A key story for the Thunder has been second-year guard Ajay Mitchell's performance. Filling in for the injured Jalen Williams, Mitchell scored 28 points, including 10 in the final quarter. His rise provides the Thunder with exceptional depth; they are no longer a primarily top-heavy team, but one where even second-round picks are stepping up in playoff moments. The Thunder, who have had about a week's worth of rest, are now awaiting the outcome of the Minnesota Timberwolves vs. San Antonio Spurs series.
