Thunder sweep Lakers; Mitchell’s 39-second half ties record
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LOS ANGELES — The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 115-110 in Game 4 on Monday night, completing a second-round playoff sweep as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points and Chet Holmgren’s dunk with 32.8 seconds remaining provided a decisive lead; LeBron James finished with 24 points and 14 rebounds in the loss. CLEVELAND — In a separate second-round game Monday, Donovan Mitchell scored 43 points and tied an NBA playoff record with 39 points in the second half as the Cleveland Cavaliers rallied from a halftime deficit with a 24-0 run to beat the Detroit Pistons 112-103, evening that series and setting up a pivotal Game 3 with momentum shifting this week.
Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.
Timeline of Events
- Regular season completed seating teams for the 2026 NBA Playoffs.
- Thunder and Lakers met in second-round series; prior meetings showed Thunder advantage.
- Monday night: Oklahoma City beat Los Angeles 115-110, completing a 4-0 sweep.
- Monday night: Cleveland defeated Detroit 112-103, Donovan Mitchell scored 43 with 39 in second half.
- Following these games, Thunder advance and Cavaliers prepare for the next scheduled series game.
Why This Matters to You
The NBA playoffs are heating up. If you're a Thunder fan, celebrate the sweep and get ready for the next round. Lakers supporters, it's time to regroup and look forward to next season. Cavaliers fans, hold on tight for a pivotal Game 3.
The Bottom Line
Monday's games were a mix of triumph and tension. The Thunder's victory over the Lakers was decisive, while the Cavaliers' comeback against the Pistons was a nail-biter. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just enjoy the thrill of the game, this is playoff basketball at its best. Worth forwarding if you know someone who loves a good sports story.
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The Oklahoma City Thunder organization and players benefited directly from the Game 4 victory, securing a second-round sweep and advancing in the NBA playoffs, while the Cleveland Cavaliers benefited from Donovan Mitchell’s record-tying second-half performance that evened their series.
The Los Angeles Lakers organization and roster suffered elimination from the second round after the Game 4 loss to Oklahoma City, and the Detroit Pistons lost momentum after conceding a 24-0 run that allowed Cleveland to even their series.
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