NBA Playoffs: LeBron James’ Los Angeles Lakers swept by Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder as retirement hypothesis looms

The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder beat the Los Angeles Lakers 115-110 to safe a 4-0 sequence victory in a playoff thriller that might be LeBron James’ final ever recreation {of professional} basketball.

The NBA’s all-time main scorer notched 24 factors, however missed a vital floater to place his aspect within the lead within the remaining 20 seconds in what might be a painful denouement to his glittering playoff profession.

“I don’t know what the future holds for me, obviously,” James mentioned after the sport. “As it stands right now tonight, I’ve got a lot of time. I’ll sit back like I think I said last year after we lost to Minnesota, I’ll go back and recalibrate with my family and talk with them and spend some time with them.

“When the time comes, clearly, you guys will know what I resolve to do.”

The No1-seeded Thunder, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s series-high 35 factors and Ajay Mitchell’s 28, swept their second consecutive playoff opponent to e book their place within the Western Convention Finals. They’re now eight wins away from efficiently defending the NBA championship.

The Lakers’ 4-0 sequence loss was solely the fourth sequence sweep James has endured in a staggering 302 postseason video games, however leaves one of many recreation’s greatest-ever gamers with an unsure future. His contract has expired after eight seasons with Los Angeles, and, ought to he select to return, would enter free company.

Austin Reaves (27 factors) and Rui Hachimura (25 factors) led the Lakers in scoring – the latter making an unbelievable four-point-play within the remaining two minutes to place the Lakers within the lead – however it was Marcus Sensible who gave the house aspect actual hope, making a three-point play to make it 110-109 with simply 40.9 seconds on the clock.

The defending champions, although, stored their composure, and a dunk from Chet Holmgren (16 factors, 9 rebounds) was adopted by 4 straight made free throws from Gilgeous-Alexander to place the sport to mattress.

Oklahoma Metropolis will now have the prospect to relaxation earlier than going through the winner of the sequence between Victor Wembanyama’s San Antonio Spurs and Anthony Edwards’ Minnesota Timberwolves, which is presently tied at 2-2.

What’s subsequent for LeBron James?

James averaged 23.5 factors within the sequence towards the defending champions, clearly demonstrating his enduring functionality of competing on the highest ranges of the sport.

However even after the final motion of the season, he remained tight-lipped about his future.

“There was so many different seasons in one season,” James mentioned. “I’m not looking at my year as a disappointment, that’s for damn sure … I’ve never been a third [scoring] option.

“I left everything I could on the floor,” James mentioned. “I control what I can control, and I can leave the floor saying even though I hate losing, I was locked in on what we needed to do.”

“I don’t know what the future holds for me … when the time comes, obviously, you guys will know what I decide to do.”

“For me it’s about the process. If I can commit to showing up to the arena five hours before a game… doing everything that you know it takes to come out and play… I’ve always been in love with the process. That will be a big factor.

“I am going to have a dialog with my 12-year-old daughter, my 19-year-old son who’s getting into his second yr at Arizona, and my spouse as effectively. They are going to be an enormous a part of it as effectively.”

“I haven’t even thought about [LeBron’s future],” mentioned Lakers head coach JJ Redick.

“We’ll deal with the offseason in the offseason, which is the next two months.”

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