The playoff basketball in Game 4 of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers featured a dramatic 116 – 113 Timberwolves victory, a spectacle of an affair. The Lakers were good, but at the most deflating times, like they are wont to do, they fell just short and were denied by a controversial foul on LeBron James in the last 10 seconds. Maturity beyond his years went right to the Anthony Edwards, who calmly knocked down two critical free throws, and it wasn’t enough to even knock an attempted buzzer-beating shot from Austin Reaves off. The Timberwolves now have a commanding 3-1 series lead and the Lakers will have to dig out from a hole.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
The Lakers took an early slim lead during the first quarter in the wake of strong performances by Luka Dončić and LeBron James. At the same time, Dončić, while taking care of illness, scored 13 points early, and James with nine points, three rebounds and two assists. But the Lakers’ initial lead escaped, and by the end of the quarter the Lakers’ early lead had evaporated, thanks to Julius Randle’s hot shooting, as Minnesota hung in close.
The showcase belonged to the stars in the second quarter. The Timberwolves can thank Anthony Edwards and Randle for finishing third, while James and Dončić were atop the Lakers. LeBron closed out the first half with 22 points and seven assists and his workload showed no signs of abating. Los Angeles struggled to get much production from the bench, and Minnesota squeezed out a 61-58 halftime lead, for what is little more than a narrow lead in this series.
The Lakers came out of it with a 14-0 run, and reeled off a double digit lead with James, Dončić and Rui Hachimura looking energized. The third quarter was physical and Rudy Gobert drew flagrant foul on James, and Timberwolves coach Chris Finch whistled him for a technical. By the end of the quarter, the Lakers went into a 94-84 lead, and were in a position to even the series.
Fourth-Quarter Collapse
But the fourth quarter reversed completely. The Lakers went into a bit of a fetal position as Anthony Edwards did an almost unrelenting assault on Minnesota’s first 11 points in the period, erasing any Lakers advantage. But the Los Angeles momentarily held a lead back on the seesaw of a battle in the final minutes with clutch plays from Reaves and James. The momentum went the way of such, but the foul on James changed things: two Edwards free throws gave the Timberwolves the last edge. The Lakers failed to cash in on opportunity and looked heartbroken after a missed buzzer beater attempt by Reaves.
LeBron James’ Heroic Effort
LeBron James had a vintage performance with 27 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists in 46 taxing minutes. His effort nearly resulted in a triple double, and the Lakers stayed in this during bumpy stretches. But James attacked relentlessly, scoring in transition and making his virtually non-existent Welsh teammates as well as creating against intense defensive pressure. And his leadership was there for all to see, but it was not enough for the Lakers to shake off their late game woes.
Luka Dončić, even though he was ill, provided a spark to support James with 31 points and was a force all night long. Also providing 20 vital points was Rui Hachimura. But the Lakers’ offense stalled in the game’s final moments, with the results of Minnesota’s aggressive defense, represented by Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert, closing off lanes and making tough shots.
Anthony Edwards Shines Bright
Minnesota was led by Anthony Edwards as he posted 38 points. Fourth quarter, fearless attacking by him sealed things squarely in favor of Timberwolves. Defining storyline of this series, Edwards has been able to take over games in the clutch, and his poised free throws in the final seconds clinched Minnesota’s win.
What Lies Ahead
Now staring down elimination, the Lakers trail 3-1 to the Nuggets and are heading to Crypto.com Arena for Game 5, where they will have to overcome the worst start to a Western Conference semifinal series in NBA history. The road will be daunting but teams with LeBron James in the lead have proven you can never count them out. However, if the Lakers play third quarter magic again as they did in Game 2 and shore up their late-game execution, it will certainly be in contention to prolong their series. Minnesota’s youth, energy and hunger have marked them firmly as one win away from advancement.
