South Bay Lakers are eliminated in West Finals
South Bay Lakers center Drew Timme (11) dribbles the basketball a during G League game against the Sioux Falls Skyforce on March 26, 2026 in El Segundo, CA. EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The Lakers were eliminated by the Kings 101-97 in the West Finals.
South Bay’s season came to an end with a disappointing finish. A spot against the Greensboro Swarm was on the line for the Lakers. All they had to do was take down the defending champion Stockton Kings.
Through the first three quarters, it seemed that the Lakers could knock off the champs. South Bay controlled the tempo and possessed the lead through the first three quarters throughout this entire stretch. Even in the fourth quarter, the Lakers were up by nine points with 6:32 left in the fourth quarter.
South Bay was minutes away from defeating their rivals and reaching the finals. Then disaster struck for the Lakers in this final stretch… How South Bay Lost Gabe Levin sealed the tip-in game-winning dunk off an offensive rebound which told the story of the game. The Kings dominated the offensive glass 10-4.
“They're really good man, they're a good physical team that plays through [and] ensures through,” said Coach Guthrie. “Very talented together team, that’s [the] core of a championship team. You know that’s the championship DNA, and they proved it tonight.