CHAOS ERUPTS IN L.A.: Lindstrom Drops 37 as Chaos Crush Thunderbirds 136-113 to Avoid Finals Sweep
LOS ANGELES (AP) — With their backs against the wall and the MGM Action Arena crowd roaring at full volume, the Los Angeles Chaos delivered a thunderous response in Game 4 of the 2037 OBWL Finals, dismantling the Arizona Thunderbirds 136-113 to stave off elimination and cut the series deficit to 3-1.
Fueled by a career-defining performance from star center Raymond Lindstrom, the Chaos turned desperation into domination. Lindstrom was an unstoppable force in the paint and beyond, pouring in 37 points on 17-of-26 shooting, including a rare three-pointer, while adding 5 assists and 5 rebounds. It was his highest-scoring game of the series and a timely eruption that electrified the sellout crowd of 20,000.
“We weren’t ready to go home,” Lindstrom said post-game. “We knew we had to punch back, and tonight we did.”
The Chaos offense was a well-oiled machine, shooting a blistering 58.9% from the field and a scorching 52.4% from three-point range. Point guard Brandon Wells was a maestro at the helm, tallying 25 points and 6 assists, while forward Chris Melvin added a gritty 16 points and 8 rebounds off the bench. In total, six Chaos players scored in double figures, showcasing the team’s depth and balance.
However, the win came at a cost. Small forward Raimundo Vazquez, who contributed 13 points and 9 rebounds in the victory, suffered a stress fracture in his left foot during the second half. Team doctors confirmed after the game that Vazquez will be sidelined for nearly a month, ruling him out for the remainder of the Finals. His absence will be a significant blow to the Chaos rotation moving forward.
Arizona, which had dominated the first three games of the series, looked out of sync and overwhelmed by the Chaos’ relentless pace. Despite a strong showing from Matthew Flint, who led the Thunderbirds with 26 points on 10-of-15 shooting, the visitors couldn’t keep up. Turnovers plagued Arizona, coughing up the ball 16 times, many of which led to fast-break points for L.A.
The Thunderbirds shot a respectable 47.9% from the field, but their defense faltered, allowing 40 points in the fourth quarter alone as the Chaos pulled away late. Arizona’s bench struggled to make an impact, and starting point guard Manuel Hendershot had a rough night, committing 7 turnovers and finishing with a -27 plus-minus.
The key difference? Efficiency and energy. The Chaos out-rebounded Arizona 46-36, shared the ball with 25 assists, and committed just 16 turnovers to Arizona’s 16 — but made theirs count less by getting back quickly in transition defense. More importantly, they played with the urgency of a team refusing to be swept.
With the series now at 3-1, the Finals return to MGM Action Arena tomorrow night for a pivotal Game 5. The Thunderbirds still hold the upper hand, but if Lindstrom and the Chaos can replicate this performance, the series may be far from over — even without Vazquez.
Player of the Game: Raymond Lindstrom – 37 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST, 17-26 FG
Stay tuned — the Chaos may just be getting started.