Lakers Face 3-0 Elimination Test in Game 4 as Thunder Chase 2nd Straight West Finals
Updated
Updated · ESPN · May 12
Lakers Face 3-0 Elimination Test in Game 4 as Thunder Chase 2nd Straight West Finals
11 articles · Updated · ESPN · May 12
Game 4 in Los Angeles puts the Lakers in a must-win spot Monday night after Oklahoma City opened the second-round series with three straight wins.
An average 19.6-point margin across those losses shows how firmly the Thunder have controlled the matchup heading into the potential closeout game.
History is stacked against Los Angeles: NBA teams holding a 3-0 lead in a best-of-seven series are 162-0, and the Lakers have been swept only nine times, most recently in the 2023 West finals.
LeBron James enters with a notable elimination-game track record, averaging 33.1 playoff points when facing elimination, though he is 2-3 in Game 4s when trailing 3-0.
A Thunder win would send Oklahoma City to a second straight conference finals for the first time since 2011-12; a Lakers win would force Game 5 on Wednesday in Oklahoma City.
Can LeBron's legendary elimination game record defy the 162-0 odds and save the Lakers from a sweep?
With the powerful Spurs or injured Timberwolves next, is this Thunder team the clear favorite for the NBA title?
The Thunder are dominating without a key player. Are they truly one of the greatest teams ever assembled?