For three straight games between the Los Angeles Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder, the story remained the same. It looked like the Lakers had a fighting chance for three quarters against the Thunder, then they'd suddenly lose in one volatile fourth quarter.

On Monday night during Game 4, that story wasn't the same, but it still had the same outcome. The Los Angeles Lakers had a chance to win Game 4, didn't get blown out, but they ultimately lost in four games to the defending champions.

The fourth quarter was an absolute battle between the Lakers and Thunder, with both teams hitting clutch shots in the final possessions. At the end of the shootout, the Thunder ultimately outlasted Los Angeles. Most questionably, though, JJ Redick didn't have Rui Hachimura on the court for the game-tying three.

Reaves faced a huge microscope throughout his series against the Oklahoma City Thunder. For as phenomenal as Reaves was during the regular season, he hasn't quite lived up to those performances in the playoffs.

Aside from Game 2, it's been a very forgettable playoffs for the young Lakers guard. Entering Game 4, Reaves was averaging 18.7 points, 7.0 assists, and 3.3 rebounds on 40/25/80 shooting from the field. Not to mention, Reaves was also consistently being targeted on the defensive end.

In Game 4, Reaves had a different story to tell. Throughout multiple moments in the fourth quarter, Reaves hit major clutch shots, but ultimately missed the game-tying three-pointer that could have sent the game to overtime.

Reaves ultimately ended up with 27 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 blocks on 50/43/89 shooting from the field.

It's going to be hard for Lakers fans not to think of this season as a "What-If" one. This season will always be remembered as one where fans would wonder what would have happened if Luka Doncic played.

The Lakers showed fighting chances against the Thunder throughout the entire series, but even if Doncic played, they'd still be the underdogs.

At the same time, though, it's a fair assessment to say that the Los Angeles Lakers overachieved during the 2026 NBA playoffs. No one expected this team to defeat the Houston Rockets without both Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic, yet they found a way.

It also feels highly likely that fans won't see this exact team return next season, which is its own bitter pill to swallow. Whether it's LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves, or Deandre Ayton, there are no guarantees about these players returning next season.

The 2025-2026 Los Angeles Lakers were a team that had some of the best chemistry in the NBA as they finished the season. They were a team that legitimately looked like they believed. 

Unfortunately, that belief just wasn't enough when facing the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder.