The Los Angeles Lakers had their season come to an end in front of a sold-out crowd at Crypto.com Arena with a 115-110 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 4.
There were plenty of similarities to trends that had emerged through the first three games, including the Lakers initially hanging tough. That was despite Oklahoma City’s hot shooting that hovered around 60% early in the first quarter.
The Lakers scored nine unanswered points after a timeout and it was part of an overall 18-7 run to close out the quarter. But any momentum the Lakers generated to take a 26-21 lead came to a grinding halt as the Thunder opened the second quarter with a 17-0 run. Lakers head coach JJ Redick called two timeouts during that stretch, only 64 seconds apart.
That was to no avail as the Lakers didn’t score until two LeBron James free throws with 5:38 remaining in the second quarter. Yet, they somehow only trailed trailed 49-45 at halftime.
As had been seen throughout the series, the Thunder had a strong effort out of the break as they started the third quarter on a 10-4 run.
The Lakers had four turnovers in less than five minutes into the quarter, though remained within striking distance thanks to timely 3-pointers by Rui Hachimura and James. It was an encouraging development for James considering he limped into the locker room at halftime after rolling his right ankle.
Austin Reaves free throws gave L.A. a brief lead and they continued to show improved effort and resolve. They won the third quarter for the first time in the series and took an 84-80 lead into the fourth. It also represented the first time the Thunder trailed heading into the final 12 minutes this playoffs.
Oklahoma City showed their championship mettle as they managed to respond each time it appeared the Lakers were starting to create some separation. Jared McCain specifically hit two crucial 3-pointers, with his second from distance tying the game at 92.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tried to take over down the stretch and Ajay Mitchell played Robin to his Batman. But the Lakers erased their deficit with scrambling defense and more clutch shooting from Hachimura. A three-point play by Marcus Smart put the Lakers ahead 95-94 with 40 seconds remaining.
Oklahoma City found Chet Holmgren under the basket for a go-ahead dunk and never trailed again. Reaves had a game-tying 3-pointer rim out and it forced the Lakers to play the foul game before ultimately running out of time.
Lakers playoff history vs. Thunder
The Lakers are 7-3 all-time in playoff series against the Thunder (Seattle SuperSonics franchise as well).
Their wins have come in the Western Conference Finals in 1980 and 1987. Additional playoff wins in their head-to-head meetings occurred in the Semifinals in 1989 and 1998, and first round in 1995 and 2010.
By completing a sweep, the Thunder remained undefeated in their quest thus far to repeat as NBA champions.
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