The Oklahoma City Thunder eliminated the Los Angeles Lakers from the NBA playoffs on Monday, winning 115-110 and completing a 4-0 series sweep.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shone with 35 points, leading the Thunder to the Western Conference finals. This victory marks their second playoff sweep this season, following a similar performance against the Phoenix Suns.
LeBron James, at 41, faces uncertainty about his future after this season. He is out of contract and has not confirmed whether he will return for a 24th season.
Oklahoma City will next compete against either the San Antonio Spurs or the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are tied at 2-2 in their semifinal series.
James' performance in this game included 24 points and 12 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to prevent the Lakers' elimination.
The star-studded crowd at the Crypto.com Arena, featuring celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio and Eddie Murphy, witnessed the potential end of James’ illustrious career.
James joined the Lakers in 2018 and has expressed a desire to compete for championships, leading to speculation about his next move. Reports vary, with some suggesting he may stay with the Lakers, while others hint at retirement or a change of teams.
Despite a strong finish to the regular season, injuries to key players, including Luka Doncic, derailed the Lakers’ playoff hopes.
Cavs Even Series with Pistons
In the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Cleveland Cavaliers leveled their series with the Detroit Pistons at 2-2, thanks to an explosive performance from Donovan Mitchell.
“I tried to make a statement in the second half,” said Mitchell after scoring 39 points in the final two quarters.
Donovan Mitchell
Mitchell's 43-point game included a record-tying 39 points in the second half, matching the NBA record for most points scored in a half of a postseason game.
The Cavaliers were able to rally from a 0-2 series deficit, showcasing Mitchell's scoring ability and a dominant third quarter that featured a 25-0 run.
Cade Cunningham, a contender for MVP, struggled in the latter stages of the game, finishing with 19 points, while the Pistons’ Caris LeVert led his team with 24 points.