In the Game 4 of the Lakers-Thunder playoff series on May 12, 2026, the Lakers put up a valiant effort. Despite trailing at halftime, they closed the gap in the third quarter and kept the game tight through the fourth. However, they fell short in the clutch, with the Thunder securing a 115-110 victory to complete a sweep.
Four Lakers players delivered strong performances. Jaxson Hayes was the standout, dominating inside with his finishing ability and drawing fouls, scoring 18 points.
The three starters also played well. Austin Reaves shot 16-of-8 for 27 points, though his ball-handling led to 8 turnovers—a costly flaw, but his scoring was explosive. Rui Hachimura went 15-of-9 for 25 points, showing consistent firepower and battling down the stretch. LeBron James played all-out, posting 24 points and 12 rebounds on 8-of-18 shooting, but fatigue in the final minutes led to costly turnovers—a grueling effort.
Other Lakers struggled to contribute. Marcus Smart misfired, Luke Kennard was limited to defense, and players like D’Angelo Russell and Jarred Vanderbilt saw little action. DeAndre Jordan had no impact. With only a seven-man rotation, the Lakers faced immense pressure.
On the Thunder side, two players carried the load. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, though chased by the Lakers most of the game, hit crucial shots late, finishing with 35 points and 8 assists on 11-of-22 shooting. Jaden Ivey, a second-round pick, also stepped up, scoring 28 points on 12-of-19 from the field. Their backcourt dominated.
Moreover, Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein held firm inside, while Keon Johnson hit key shots late, and Alex Caruso sparked the second unit. The Thunder’s depth allowed every rotation player to contribute, highlighting the gap between the teams.
