This ending feels different, and time is not on the Lakers' side

Their elimination by Oklahoma City felt more like the end of an era, and the pressing question is 'What now?' Kobe Bryant sounds defiant and confused, Andrew Bynum is unreliable and Pau Gasol has peaked.

It's out with the old as Thunder gallops past Lakers to win series

Lakers were NBA champions in 2009 and '10, but that era is a distant memory after 106-90 Game 5 loss to young, frisky Oklahoma City seals aging team's second straight second-round playoff elimination.

Lakers' roster-refurbishment options are limited

After second straight West semifinals loss, Lakers are too far over luxury tax threshold to add a major free agent and their only draft pick is 60th overall. That leaves trades, but they need partners.

Lakers' Ramon Sessions disappoints in series against Thunder

The point guard had 15 assists and 11 turnovers and struggled to guard Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook.

It really was fun while it lasted for the Clippers

They hang in there with enthusiasm and effort before falling to San Antonio and being swept from the playoffs. When was the last time anyone described the Lakers as enjoyable or full of effort?

Lakers have got next . . . but beyond that, who knows?

Down 3-1 in Western Conference semifinals after another crushing loss to the Thunder, and facing elimination in Game 5 Monday at Oklahoma City, Lakers' only choice is to adopt one-game-at-a-time mantra.

Kobe Bryant talks of 'tough shots' in Lakers' loss to Thunder

Kobe Bryant says the shots 'didn't fall for me' and calls into question teammates' aggressiveness in a 103-100 Game 4 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Staples Center is the one shining star on this manic Sunday

Cyclists come and go, Kings and Clippers play and lose, fans move in and out and all runs smoothly as three major sports events converge at Staples Center. Even the solar eclipse goes like clockwork.

Kevin Durant slows Kobe Bryant before stopping the Lakers

The lanky forward forces the All-Star guard into tough shots before making two big baskets of his own, including the go-ahead three-pointer in a 103-100 victory in Game 4.

Kevin Durant, Thunder drop big one on the Lakers

Oklahoma City forward delivers the final blow -- a three-pointer with 13 seconds left -- in a 103-100 victory that caps a 13-point comeback in the fourth quarter and puts the Lakers on the brink of elimination.

Andrew Bynum comes up big despite off shooting night

Lakers center Andrew Bynum was just two of 13 from the field Friday night, but his other contributions were instrumental in L.A.'s 99-96 victory, which cut Oklahoma City's lead in their Western Conference semifinal series to 2-1.

Blame game begins after the Lakers' deflating loss to the Thunder

Among the targets: Pau Gasol's pass and Kobe Bryant's poor fourth-quarter shooting. Now the Lakers, trailing three games to one, head back to Oklahoma City.

Matt Barnes' diminished playing time seems to benefit Lakers

The team's largest victories in the playoffs have come when the struggling small forward has played 10 minutes or less. Before Saturday's Game 4, Barnes was averaging 3.9 points and 3.2 rebounds.

Derek Fisher imparts a lot of wisdom on young Thunder players

Guard returned to Staples Center to try and help Oklahoma City knock former team, and close friend Kobe Bryant, out of the playoffs.

Kobe Bryant lets his guard down after mismatch with Derek Fisher

Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol share laughs over how Bryant easily scored twice on former teammate Derek Fisher during the Lakers' win over the Thunder. 'Come on, Fish is like 5-2,' Bryant explains.

Lakers taking back-to-back situation one game at a time

Games 3 and 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against a younger Oklahoma City Thunder team are on consecutive days, but the Lakers chose to focus on Friday's Game 3.