CHET HOLMGREN came through with the go-ahead basket late as Oklahoma City Thunder eliminated Los Angeles Lakers, 115-110, in Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series Monday night (Tuesday in the Philippines) in Los Angeles, California.
Holmgren’s emphatic dunk with 32.8 seconds remaining surged Oklahoma City ahead at 111-110, as the Thunder weathered several late momentum swings from Los Angeles.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered 35 points while Ajay Mitchell provided a major spark off the bench with 28 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter, as the Thunder wrapped up the conference semis series at 4-0.
The defending champion Oklahoma City remained unbeaten in the playoffs at 8-0, although the Lakers pushed them to their limit after trailing throughout much of the series.
LeBron James finished with 24 points and 14 rebounds for Los Angeles, but his potential go-ahead driving attempt in the closing seconds failed to fall. Austin Reaves added 27 points, while Rui Hachimura chipped in 25.
The Thunder will now await the winner of the ongoing semifinal matchup between the Minnesota Timberwolves and San Antonio Spurs, which is tied heading into Game 5.
In Cleveland, Donovan Mitchell tied an NBA playoff record with 39 points in the second half and the Cavaliers evened their second-round series against Detroit Pistons with a 112-103 Game 4 victory.
Mitchell matched the previous mark on a free throw with 27.6 seconds remaining. He finished with 43 points, including 15 during Cleveland’s 24-0 run early in the third quarter to turn things around.
James Harden had his 40th playoff double-double with 24 points and 11 assists. Evan Mobley had 17 points, five blocked shots and three steals as Cleveland remained unbeaten at home in six playoff games.
Caris LeVert had a season high 24 points for Detroit. Cade Cunningham scored 19, the first time he has been held under 20 in 11 playoff games this season, and Tobias Harris added 16./PN
