In the high-stakes world of playoff basketball, teams must value every possession. Players are required to move with purpose and speed across every inch of the court. The importance of making the right pass, hitting the big shot, and consistently doing the right thing cannot be overstated. These demands escalate when playing on the road in an arena filled with fervent fans, such as the Timberwolves’ venue, where the pressure is palpable. Every turnover has the potential to ignite a highlight reel moment, every missed rebound can reinvigorate the opposing team, and each misstep inches a player closer to a potential end to their season.
The Los Angeles Lakers faced daunting challenges in their recent playoff game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Lakers coach JJ Redick made a bold move, putting his trust in his star players during crucial moments. The Lakers had a promising lead, holding a seven-point advantage with just five minutes remaining. However, the game took a turn for the worse, resulting in a shocking 116-113 defeat that allowed Minnesota to seize a 3-1 series lead.
Starting the second half, the Lakers fielded a lineup featuring Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Dorian Finney-Smith. This group played the entirety of the third quarter and returned to the court at the start of the fourth. Unfortunately, they could not sustain their 10-point lead, leaving the team facing the grim possibility of their season concluding in just 48 minutes.
“This is not done yet,” Hachimura stated, although the reality of their situation was clear. For the second consecutive game, the Lakers faltered in the final moments. In Game 3, they lost by 12 points after being tied late in the game. On Sunday, despite leading comfortably, they could not hold on to their advantage.
Redick expressed his confidence in his players, stating, “I think once you’ve kind of made that decision, and they all are in, you just gotta trust them.” However, the question remained whether fatigue played a role in Reaves’ missed three-point attempts or if it affected Doncic and James during their critical shots near the rim. The pressure of defending against Anthony Edwards may have also taken its toll on the Lakers' defense.
The game featured pivotal moments that could have altered the outcome. In the final 30 seconds, a failed inbound pass from James to Doncic deprived the Lakers of a crucial possession when they were down by one point. This play was precipitated by a timeout called after Doncic was believed to have been tripped. Redick remarked, “Well, let’s just start with Luka got tripped. I mean, that was a blatant trip.”
James was involved in a controversial play where he appeared to strip the ball from Edwards, but officials ruled it a foul, allowing Edwards to seal the victory with free throws. Edwards ended the night with an impressive 43 points and nine rebounds, highlighting the high-pressure nature of playoff basketball.
Despite their loss, the Lakers showcased moments of brilliance. Reaves made a significant three-pointer, while James executed critical defensive plays. Finney-Smith's go-ahead three-pointer also contributed to the excitement. Doncic, who had struggled in Game 3 due to a stomach bug, returned to form, effectively attacking the basket and keeping the Timberwolves' defense on high alert.
James, who scored 38 points in the previous game, demonstrated remarkable efficiency against Minnesota's strong defense. Hachimura, donning a protective face mask after an injury, made significant contributions with 23 points, while Reaves rebounded from a scoreless first half to finish with 17 points, although he missed a last-second three-pointer that could have sent the game into overtime.
As the Lakers reflect on their performance, Reaves emphasized his confidence, stating, “If I’m put in that situation again, I’m gonna shoot it again and I have confidence in myself to make it.” The Lakers must regroup and harness their strengths as they face the impending challenge of maintaining their playoff hopes in a series that has proven to be fiercely competitive.
