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The Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Los Angeles Lakers 115-110 to seal a 4-0 series win in a playoff thriller that could be LeBron James’ last game in professional basketball.
The NBA’s all-time leading scorer scored 24 points, but missed a crucial floater to put his team ahead in the final 20 seconds in what could have been a painful denouement to his brilliant playoff career.
Led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s series-high 35 points and Ajay Mitchell’s 28, the 1-seeded Thunder defeated their second straight playoff opponent to secure their spot in the Western Conference Finals. They are now eight wins away from successfully defending the NBA Championship.
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LeBron James leads the Los Angeles Lakers into the Western Conference semifinals with a win over the Houston Rockets.
Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James (23) dunks against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 4
The 4-0 series loss to the Lakers was just the fourth series sweep James has endured in an astounding 302 postseason games, but left one of the game’s all-time greats with an uncertain future. His contract with Los Angeles expires after eight seasons, and he will enter free agency if he wants to return.
Austin Reaves (27 points) and Rui Hachimura (25 points) led the Lakers in scoring – with an incredible four-point play in the final two minutes to give the Lakers the lead – but it was Marcus Smart who gave the home side real hope, making it 110-109 with a three-point play in the second.
Alex Caruso of the Oklahoma City Thunder had 9 points
The defending champions kept their composure, though, and four straight free throws from Gilgeous-Alexander put the game to bed after a dunk by Chet Holmgren (16 points, 9 rebounds).
Oklahoma City will now get a chance to rest before facing the winner of the series between Victor Wembanyama’s San Antonio Spurs and Anthony Edwards’ Minnesota Timberwolves, which is currently tied 2-2.
What’s next for LeBron James?
LeBron James after scoring during Game 1 of a first-round NBA playoff basketball series against the Houston Rockets (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
James averaged 23.5 points in the series against the defending champions, clearly demonstrating his enduring ability to compete at the game’s highest level.
But even after the action last season, he remained tight-lipped about his future.
“There were so many different seasons in one season,” James said. “I don’t look at my year as a disappointment, that’s for sure … I’ve never been a third (scoring) option.”
“I don’t know what the future holds for me… When the time comes, obviously, you’ll know what I decide to do.”
“I haven’t even thought about (LeBron’s future),” Lakers head coach JJ Redick said.
“We’ll deal with the offseason in the offseason, which is the next two months.”
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