LeBron James' message to OKC? 'Go get another [ring]'

May 11, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the second half in game four of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

It took eight games, but the Oklahoma City Thunder finally felt the thrills and nerves that an NBA playoff game usually entails. They completed another series sweep with a 115-110 Game 4 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. It was the first time that the reigning NBA champions stared down a possible postseason loss.

Instead, the Thunder escaped on the right side of the nail-biter. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finally looked like his MVP self with 35 points and eight assists. Meanwhile, Ajay Mitchell put up an efficient 28 points. And then Chet Holmgren redeemed himself from a couple of costly mistakes with a go-ahead dunk.

It's been a cakewalk for the Thunder through the first two rounds. They're 8-0 in the NBA playoffs with six wins by double-digit points. Entering as the heavy favorite, OKC didn't give LeBron James any thought of a possible seismic upset.

Instead, the 41-year-old's engine slowly lost power. James averaged 23.3 points, six rebounds and 5.8 assists in the Round 2 series. Starting strong, he eventually cooled off and showed his age. With a chance to hit the go-ahead bucket, he missed a floater with 20 seconds to go.

Afterwards, there was no bad blood between the Thunder and Lakers. There was a lot of mutual respect between both sides. James went to Gilgeous-Alexander and Alex Caruso. The NBA captured the moment. The four-time NBA champion hopes OKC gets another ring.

“Go get another one," James said to both Thunder players.

Of course, Gilgeous-Alexander sits atop the NBA throne — something James is extremely familiar with. The two have spoken highly of one another. They're part of a small group of players who can say they've won or are about to win multiple MVP trophies. That puts you in an exclusive club filled with basketball's greatest players ever.

And then there's the obvious relationship between James and Caruso. The latter spent four seasons on the Lakers from 2017-21. Playing alongside the former, he's carved out a helluva career from an undrafted two-way rookie to one of the best perimeter defenders in the league and a two-time NBA champion. He was part of Los Angeles' championship squad in 2020.

Cool to see James wish Gilgeous-Alexander, Caruso and the Thunder to win another NBA championship. I know he's 41 years old, but besting him in an NBA playoff series isn't an easy task. He's one of the greatest players ever and has dominated NBA discourse for nearly three decades.

This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: LeBron James' message to OKC? 'Go get another [ring]'