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Oklahoma City is still perfect in the playoffs, while the Lakers head into a messy offseason with LeBron James’ future hanging over everything.
Oklahoma City Survives the Scare
The Oklahoma City Thunder are into the Western Conference Finals after beating the Los Angeles Lakers 115-110 at Crypto.com Arena, finishing off a 4-0 second-round sweep that was a lot tighter than the series score suggests. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 35 points, while Ajay Mitchell added 28 and Chet Holmgren chipped in 16 points and nine rebounds. The Thunder are now 8-0 in the postseason, which is the kind of run that makes futures bettors feel smug and everyone else check the board twice.
Lakers Make it Awkward Late
Los Angeles did not exactly roll over. Austin Reaves scored 27 points, Rui Hachimura had 25, and LeBron James posted 24 points with 12 rebounds. The Lakers led 110-109 inside the final minute after late baskets from Hachimura and Marcus Smart, but Holmgren answered with a dunk, Gilgeous-Alexander hit two free throws, and Mitchell iced it after Reaves missed a potential tying three.
LeBron Question Now Takes Over
The basketball part is over for the Lakers, so now comes the circus. James, 41, is set to become an unrestricted free agent after his 23rd NBA season, and Reuters reported separately that he said it was too early to know what comes next. For bettors and casual NBA fans, that matters because the Lakers’ offseason market could swing hard depending on whether LeBron returns, leaves, or finally calls it a day.
Thunder Wait on Spurs or Timberwolves
Oklahoma City will face either the San Antonio Spurs or Minnesota Timberwolves next. That series is tied 2-2, with Game 5 set for Tuesday, May 12. Victor Wembanyama is expected to be available after avoiding a suspension tied to his Game 4 ejection, which keeps the next Thunder matchup very much alive as a betting storyline.
