Oklahoma City Thunder sent LeBron James and the Lakers home. The result: 115:110 in the fourth game, series ended 4:0. And the NBA world, as expected, didn't stay silent.

The Thunder were led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with 35 points and eight assists - once again the decider in the moment that needed one. Ajay Mitchell added 28 points as a bonus, while Chet Holmgren finished with 16 points and eight rebounds. A young team, a system that works, and a defence that didn't let the Lakers crack the series open for a single instant.

On the other side, the Lakers had everything - except a win. LeBron finished with 24 points, 12 rebounds and three assists. Austin Reaves dropped 27 with six assists, Rui Hachimura added 25. Jaxson Hayes dropped another 18 off the bench. A tally that looks like a winning effort - but it wasn't enough.

Luka Dončić didn't play in that series (the hamstring injury did its work), and it proved fatal. The Lakers were competitive, they played in all four games - but competitive isn't winning. Especially not against a Thunder side that this season look like a team without a dangerous opponent.

For LeBron, this is another early play-off exit - not something he's used to at this point in his career. The questions about his future, as every time over the past three seasons, hit social media instantly. Is this the end? Is he going to another team? Will the Lakers finally rewrite the script?

Nobody has the answers tonight. But Oklahoma, with 35 points from Shai and a new generation of players in the play-offs, sent a message that reads clearly: the West no longer belongs to the Lakers.