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Lakers Swept by Thunder as JJ Redick’s Late Substitution Draws Heavy Blowback

A reported tactic to use Maxi Kleber as a screener has not eased questions about benching Rui Hachimura.

Overview

  • Oklahoma City closed out a 4-0 series with a 115-110 win, and with 12.2 seconds left Monday JJ Redick replaced Rui Hachimura with Maxi Kleber for the Lakers’ final play.
  • The design freed Austin Reaves for a clean three that rimmed out, which ended Los Angeles’ last chance to extend the game.
  • Hachimura had 25 points and went 4-for-8 from deep in Game 4, and he entered the night shooting 33-for-58 from three in the 2026 playoffs.
  • Fans and TV analysts, including Dwyane Wade, Candace Parker, and Emmanuel Acho, blasted the choice to sit the team’s hottest shooter, and Redick has not offered a public explanation.
  • ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne said Kleber was in to screen with Luke Kennard as a decoy so Reaves or LeBron James could take the shot, though some coverage noted the Thunder’s 8-0 run over the Lakers this season made one late switch unlikely to change the outcome.