LeBron James, Lakers Eliminated from NBA Playoffs, Fans React as SGA, Thunder Complete Sweep
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder knocked off LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers 115-110 on the road, completing a 4-0 series sweep and punching their ticket to the conference finals.
Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a statement performance Monday, filling the stat sheet with 35 points on 50 percent shooting from the field with eight assists and a steal to pace Oklahoma City in the decisive win.
He has remained an elite player throughout the postseason, coming off a first-round sweep of the Phoenix Suns where he averaged 33.8 points per game. He kept it going against the Lakers, key the top seed en route to another trip to the Western Conference Finals.
Chet Holmgren made his presence felt down the stretch, controlling the paint while totaling 16 points and nine rebounds.
Ajay Mitchell provided a boost in an overall strong series, finishing Monday with 28 points and four steals, while Jared McCain added 13 points off the bench. Isaiah Hartenstein anchored the interior with 10 rebounds.
James finished with 24 points, 12 rebounds and three assists, but it wasn't enough to lift Los Angeles. Rui Hachimura chipped in 25 points and five rebounds in addition to an explosive second half, while Austin Reaves added 27 points in support. Jaxson Hayes added 18 points and five rebounds off the bench.
Los Angeles spent the entirety of its playoff run without Luka Doncic, who had been sidelined since April 2 after suffering a left hamstring strain in the closing stretch of the regular season.
Oklahoma City is pursuing a bid for back-to-back Larry O'Brien Championship trophies after edging the Indiana Pacers in a seven-game NBA Finals series last season, powered by a championship run led by MVP Gilgeous-Alexander.
Their sweep of Los Angeles moved them one step closer, as they successfully navigated the first two rounds of the playoffs while remaining undefeated at 8-0 in the postseason.
A look at the semifinal playoff bracket.
Western Conference
No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder defeat No. 4 Los Angeles Lakers, 4-0
No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves tied No. 2 San Antonio Spurs, 2-2
Eastern Conference
No. 1 Detroit Pistons tied No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers, 2-2
No. 3 New York Knicks defeat No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers, 4-0
The No. 1 Thunder will await the winner of the No. 2 San Antonio Spurs and No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves series in the Western Conference FInals.
