As the Lakers left the court at Target Center, heads down and white towels swirling around them, the crowd wasn’t just celebrating the Timberwolves’ 116-113 victory. The 19,289 fans in attendance could sense the struggle the Lakers were facing in this first-round series. With four games in, the Lakers were still scratching their heads trying to figure out how to stop Anthony Edwards, prevent the Timberwolves from dominating the paint, and keep them from snatching offensive rebounds left and right. Now, down three games to one, the Lakers were facing the end of their season.
Two days after battling stomach problems that limited his performance, Luka Doncic came back strong, scoring 38 points. But even that wasn’t enough to secure a win for the Lakers. LeBron James also put up a stellar performance with 27 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists, three steals, and three blocks. However, the Timberwolves’ forward Julius Randle stole the show with his standout performance during the game.
Coach JJ Redick seemed at a loss for solutions, admitting, “Certainly played well enough to win. Gave the effort to win.” Despite his complaints about late-game calls, it was clear that the Lakers were facing significant challenges in this series. The Timberwolves seemed to have the upper hand, presenting matchup problems that the Lakers struggled to overcome with their current lineup.
As impressive as Doncic and James were on the court, Edwards outshined them both with a game-high 43 points, along with nine rebounds and six assists. The Lakers’ desperation was evident in Redick’s decision not to make any substitutions in the second half, sticking with the third-quarter starters until the end.
The Lakers managed to take a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter after scoring a series-high 36 points in the third quarter. However, their lack of depth became apparent as they ran out of steam against a deeper Timberwolves roster. Despite Doncic’s resilience and James’ leadership, the Lakers were struggling to keep up with their opponents.
Fatigue seemed to play a role in the Lakers’ performance, with Doncic admitting, “This is the playoffs. Fatigue shouldn’t play a role.” But as the game progressed, it became clear that exhaustion was taking its toll on the team. The absence of a solid center like Jaxson Hayes, who sat out most of the game due to fouls, further highlighted the Lakers’ shortcomings.
If the Lakers hoped to turn the series around, it would have to start with Doncic leading the way. Despite battling illness and fatigue, Doncic managed to put up a strong performance in Game 4. The Lakers started the game strong, taking care of the ball in the first quarter and building an early lead. However, their momentum faltered in the second quarter as turnovers allowed the Timberwolves to take the lead heading into halftime.
James and Doncic carried the offensive load for the Lakers, with both players scoring over 20 points in the first half. The duo’s performance was reminiscent of Lakers legends Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, who achieved a similar feat in a postseason game back in 2002. Despite their efforts, the Lakers struggled to maintain their lead as the Timberwolves fought back.
The Lakers’ lack of depth and inability to contain Edwards ultimately led to their defeat in Game 4. With their season on the line, the Lakers faced an uphill battle to come back from a three-games-to-one deficit against a formidable Timberwolves team. It remains to be seen whether they can overcome their challenges and turn the series around.
