The Oklahoma City Thunder have done it—sweeping the Los Angeles Lakers in a thrilling 115-110 Game 4 victory to close out the second round of the 2026 NBA playoffs. For a team that had cruised through the postseason, this was their first real test, and they passed with flying colors.
The game was a nail-biter from the opening tip, with neither team able to build a commanding lead. After a slow first quarter that saw the Thunder trailing 26-21, it looked like the Lakers might finally force a Game 5. But OKC's bench unit had other plans. Alex Caruso knocked down back-to-back threes, Ajay Mitchell stripped Austin Reaves for a fast-break layup, and the defense clamped down, holding Los Angeles scoreless for over six minutes.
The Thunder opened the second quarter on a blistering 17-0 run, flipping the script entirely. LeBron James finally ended the drought at the free-throw line, but Oklahoma City carried a slim 49-45 lead into halftime. It was a gritty, grind-it-out performance that felt more like a classic playoff battle than the blowouts fans had grown accustomed to.
Coming out of the break, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander found Cason Wallace for a corner three, pushing the lead to 66-54 and threatening to put the game away. But the Lakers, led by a red-hot Rui Hachimura, refused to back down. Hachimura caught fire from deep, keeping Los Angeles within striking distance and forcing the Thunder to earn every bucket down the stretch.
In the end, it was Chet Holmgren who delivered the dagger. With 32 seconds left and the score tied, the seven-footer grabbed a pass from Isaiah Hartenstein in traffic, pivoted through a sea of Lakers defenders, and threw down a two-handed jam that sent the Thunder bench into a frenzy. It was a moment of redemption for the young star, who had struggled at times but rose when it mattered most.
The Thunder tallied 31 points in a tense third quarter and held on down the stretch, showing the poise and composure of a championship contender. For a team that had yet to face real adversity in these playoffs, this was the kind of win that builds character—and sets the stage for what could be a deep run.