Volkswacht Bodensee - LeBron's Lakers eliminated from NBA playoffs as Thunder seal sweep

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points as the Thunder advanced to the Western Conference finals after sealing their second sweep of the postseason following a 4-0 first-round defeat of Phoenix.

Lakers star James, 41, is out of contract after this season and has not yet indicated whether he plans to return for a 24th campaign next term.

Oklahoma City will face either the San Antonio Spurs or Minnesota Timberwolves for a place in the NBA finals. The Spurs and Timberwolves are tied at 2-2 in their best-of-seven semi-final series.

Monday's defeat marked the end of Lakers icon James' latest bid for a fifth NBA championship, sealing a disappointing end to his record 23rd season.

A star-studded Hollywood crowd including the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn and Eddie Murphy had flocked to courtside at the Crypto.com Arena to see if James could help the Lakers stave off elimination.

But James' 24 points and 12 rebounds were in vain as the Thunder held their nerve to hold off a spirited second-half fightback by the Lakers to wrap up the series.

H.Kuenzler--VB