Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points to lead the OKC Thunder to a 115-110 victory over the Lakers, completing a second-round sweep. His composed performance showcased his determination and ability to deliver under pressure.
Key points
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points
OKC Thunder won 115-110 against the Lakers
Thunder completed a second-round playoff sweep
Gilgeous-Alexander emphasized emotional composure
He shot 11-for-22 from the field
Shai Gilgeous-AlexanderOKC ThunderLos Angeles Lakers
LOS ANGELES — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander didn't just hit the hardwood floor inside Crypto.com Arena.
He went sliding across it after sinking an and-one jumper over Marcus Smart, who'd been defending the reigning MVP so tightly all series that he didn't even give him space to land. And yet he didn't stay down for the count.
Gilgeous-Alexander quickly sat up straight like The Undertaker. A supernatural superstar with an undying determination to deliver for his team, no matter how much the Lakers tried to contain him. A composed competitor who showed what he can do, all while not showing emotion.
"I've noticed throughout my career, through personal experiences, that emotions only get in the way of critical and smart thinking," Gilgeous-Alexander said of his composure. "Especially in those moments, when I want to get the job done the most, I try to put my emotions aside and stay locked in on what's present and what matters most."
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: Deandre Ayton #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder battle for a tip off during the first quarter in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball during the first quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first quarter in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives with the ball against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 and Ajay Mitchell #25 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket against Cason Wallace #22 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first quarter in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: Head Coach JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first quarter in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up against the Oklahoma City Thunder prior to Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: A detailed view of Los Angeles Lakers themed T-shirts prior to Game Four against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: LeBron James #23 and Bronny James #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers warm up against the Oklahoma City Thunder prior to Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder warms up prior to Game Four against the Los Angeles Lakers in the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up prior to Game Four against Oklahoma City Thunder in the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 4 NBA Playoffs, see top photos
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: Deandre Ayton #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder battle for a tip off during the first quarter in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 4 NBA Playoffs, see top photos
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: Deandre Ayton #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder battle for a tip off during the first quarter in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 4 NBA Playoffs, see top photos
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball during the first quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 4 NBA Playoffs, see top photos
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first quarter in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 4 NBA Playoffs, see top photos
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives with the ball against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 and Ajay Mitchell #25 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 4 NBA Playoffs, see top photos
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket against Cason Wallace #22 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first quarter in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 4 NBA Playoffs, see top photos
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: Head Coach JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first quarter in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 4 NBA Playoffs, see top photos
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up against the Oklahoma City Thunder prior to Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 4 NBA Playoffs, see top photos
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: A detailed view of Los Angeles Lakers themed T-shirts prior to Game Four against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 4 NBA Playoffs, see top photos
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: LeBron James #23 and Bronny James #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers warm up against the Oklahoma City Thunder prior to Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 4 NBA Playoffs, see top photos
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder warms up prior to Game Four against the Los Angeles Lakers in the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 4 NBA Playoffs, see top photos
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up prior to Game Four against Oklahoma City Thunder in the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Gilgeous-Alexander never wrestled with his emotions during the Thunder's sweep. Not even when the Lakers tried to frustrate him during the first two games with constant double-teams, which led to him averaging just 20 points on 14 shot attempts.
He knew the downpour of defenders would create a trickle-down effect.
Gilgeous-Alexander knew the extra attention he received would draw Los Angeles away from the rim, where OKC converted its 18 total offensive boards into an average of 38 second-chance points. He knew it'd place his teammates at advantages, which they capitalized on by shooting 52.2% from the field and 41.9% from deep.
And he knew that defensive strategy would burn a lot of energy, which likely played a role in the second-half fatigue the Lakers showed. The Thunder outscored them by a combined 29 points during the third and fourth quarters.
Gilgeous-Alexander's effectiveness under pressure eventually forced Los Angeles to dial back the double-teams during Game 3. That then set the stage for his scoring resurgence during Monday's Game 4, where he frequently reached his spots in single coverage and did damage.
"They reeled back the double teams, he kind of hid in the grass and then tonight he went and closed that thing," Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault said of Gilgeous-Alexander. "Remarkable poise and maturity by him. ... Impact takes on different faces, but his impact was all four games."
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder goes for a layup over Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the third quarter in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder goes for a layup over Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the third quarter in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Of course, it's easy to not be weighed down by the pressure when your teammates lift you up. And that's what OKC's supporting cast did during the first three games to give Gilgeous-Alexander the luxury of not having to force things.
"Hats off to my teammates," Gilgeous-Alexander. "Obviously, their goal was to make my teammates beat them in the first three games, and my teammates did exactly that. So yeah, hats off to them."
But Game 4 belonged to Gilgeous-Alexander, to no surprise. As if anyone else would claim the honor of closing out LeBron James and the Lakers in Los Angeles.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 21 of his 35 points during the second half to help the Thunder hold on. It's a performance that few players in the world could pull off. And even fewer can do so on a consistent basis, like the Clutch Player of the Year winner has done all season.
It's quite the undertaking.
"He's the best player in the league," Mitchell said of Gilgeous-Alexander. "No matter what's going in, if he's having a great night or a bad night, it doesn't matter. We know what we're getting from him. He's just consistent every single night. He's obviously a great player."
