Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gave a masterclass in what an MVP looks like. In Game 4 of the second-round playoff series, the Oklahoma City Thunder traveled to Los Angeles and defeated the Lakers 115-110, completing a 4-0 sweep and advancing to the Western Conference Finals. They now await the winner of the San Antonio Spurs vs. Minnesota Timberwolves series.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored a series-high 35 points on 11-of-22 shooting, including 1-of-4 from three-point range and 12-of-15 from the free-throw line. He also dished out eight assists, controlling the game on both ends. This marked his first 30-point performance of the series, a crucial breakthrough after averaging just 21 points over the first three games.
In those earlier games, the Lakers deployed constant double-teams, forcing Gilgeous-Alexander to pass more. While he racked up assists, his scoring output suffered—18 points in Game 1, 22 in Game 2, and 23 in Game 3 on 7-of-20 shooting. Compared to his first-round explosion against the Phoenix Suns (33.8 points per game), his numbers had dipped noticeably.
But in Game 4, Gilgeous-Alexander snapped back. Despite the Lakers’ defensive scheme, he exploited weaker defenders like Austin Reaves and Luke Kennard, attacking them one-on-one with success. In the clutch moments of the fourth quarter, he nailed consecutive mid-range jumpers and a three-pointer to seal the win. He also found open teammates when the defense collapsed, delivering pinpoint passes that broke the Lakers’ resistance.
With this sweep, Gilgeous-Alexander has now led the Thunder to consecutive 4-0 sweeps in the first two rounds, eliminating both the Suns and the Lakers. Over the seven playoff games, he averaged 28.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1 block, fully embodying the MVP standard. Even LeBron James, a former MVP and Finals MVP, may be considering retirement after this series—and Gilgeous-Alexander has been the one to push him toward the exit.
What more can Gilgeous-Alexander accomplish in this postseason?
