Lonnie Walker IV sparks Lakers past Warriors for 3-1 series lead
Walker scores all of his 15 points in a phenomenal fourth quarter as the Lakers overcome Steph Curry’s 31-point triple-double and rally for a 104-101 victory that moves them to the brink of the Western Conference finals
Lakers forwards Anthony Davis, left, and LeBron James, right, congratulate guard Lonnie Walker IV (4) after he scored 15 points in the fourth quarter to help rally them to a 104-101 victory over the Golden State Warriors in Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers guard Lonnie Walker IV takes a shot during the fourth quarter of Game 4 of their second-round series against the Golden State Warriors on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry drives to the basket as Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) defends during the first half of Game 4 of their second-round series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers forward LeBron James, left, knocks the ball from Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green during the first half of Game 4 of their second-round series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers forward Anthony Davis, left, scores past Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green during the first half of Game 4 of their second-round series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Golden State Warriors’ Donte DiVincenzo passes the ball as Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) defends during the first half of Game 4 of their second-round series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt (2) and Golden State Warriors guards Klay Thompson, top, and Gary Payton II pursue a loose ball during the first half of Game 4 of their second-round series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt looks to pass as the Golden State Warriors’ Gary Payton II defends during the first half of Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Lakers forward Anthony Davis shoots as Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins defends during the first half of Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry goes up for a shot in front of Lakers guard Dennis Schroder (17) during the first half of Game 4 of their second-round series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Golden State Warriors’ Donte DiVincenzo goes up for a shot as Lakers forward Anthony Davis defends during the first half of Game 4 of their second-round series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers forward Rui Hachimura drives to the basket as the Golden State Warriors’ Jordan Poole defends during the first half of Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Lakers forward Rui Hachimura, right, makes a reverse layup in front of Golden State Warriors forward JaMychal Green during the first half of Game 4 of their second-round series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers forward Anthony Davis, left, and Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green battle for a potential rebound during the first half of Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Golden State Warriors’ Donte DiVincenzo falls on to Lakers guard Dennis Schroder during the first half of Game 4 of their second-round series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell, right, shoots as Golden State Warriors guard Donte DiVincenzo defends during the first half of Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, left, shoots as Lakers forward Anthony Davis defends during the first half of Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Lakers forward Anthony Davis, left, shoots as Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green defends during the first half of Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry, left, shoots as Lakers forward Anthony Davis defends during the first half of Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry gets to the basket for a layup in front of Lakers star Anthony Davis, center, during the first half of Game 4 of their second-round series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers forward LeBron James, center, shoots as Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson, right, and forward Andrew Wiggins defend during the first half of Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Lakers star Anthony Davis blocks a Golden State Warriors shot in traffic during the first half of Game 4 of their second-round series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers guard Austin Reaves, left, drives around Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry during the first half of Game 4 of their second-round series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers forward LeBron James, left, fouls Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green during the first half of Game 4 of their second-round series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers forward LeBron James, top, fouls Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green during the first half of Game 4 of their second-round series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers forward Anthony Davis looks to shoot as Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green defends during the first half of Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Lakers forward Anthony Davis, center, tries to block a pass by Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry, left, during the first half of Game 4 of their second-round series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers forward LeBron James shoots between the Golden State Warriors’ Kevon Looney, left, Donte DiVincenzo (0), and Moses Moody, right, during the first half of Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry shoots as Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) defends during the first half of Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Lakers forward Anthony Davis, left, and Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry collide during the first quarter in Game 4 of their second-round playoff series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Lakers forward LeBron James, right, shoots as Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II defends during the second half of Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry considers his options as Lakers forward Anthony Davis, left, defends during the first half of Game 4 of their second-round series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers guard Dennis Schroder handles the ball as Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry defends during the first half of Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Lakers forward Anthony Davis passes the ball as the Golden State Warriors’ Donte DiVincenzo, left, and JaMychal Green look on during the first half of Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry, left, knocks the ball away from Lakers guard Austin Reaves during the first half of Game 4 of their second-round series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers forward LeBron James, left, looks for a route to the basket as Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry, center, and forward Draymond Green defend during the second half of Game 4 of their second-round series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green blocks a shot by Lakers forward LeBron James during the fourth quarter of Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Lakers guard Dennis Schroder scores in traffic during the second half of Game 4 of their second-round series against the Golden State Warriors on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Golden State Warriors’ Moses Moody, left, and Andrew Wiggins vie for the ball with the Lakers’ Anthony Davis during Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Lakers forward LeBron James, left, shoots as Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins, second from left, guard Donte DiVincenzo, second from right, and forward Kevon Looney defend during the second half of Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Lakers guard Lonnie Walker IV, top, shoots as Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry falls during the second half of Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry throws a behind-the-back pass as Lakers guard Austin Reaves defends during the second half of Game 4 of their second-round series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Lakers’ Lonnie Walker IV, left, reaches for a rebound with the Golden State Warriors’ Moses Moody and LeBron James during Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Lakers guard Lonnie Walker IV, right, shoots as Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson defends during the second half of Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Lakers forward LeBron James dribbles past Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green during Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Lakers forward LeBron James looks to pass the ball as the Golden State Warriors’ Andrew Wiggins defends during the second half of Game 4 of their second-round series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers forward Anthony Davis goes up for as shot as Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green defends during the fourth quarter of Game 4 of their second-round series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers forward LeBron James, left, tries to block a shot by Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry during the fourth quarter of Game 4 of their second-round series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers forward LeBron James drives for a shot as Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry, left, and forward Draymond Green defend during the fourth quarter of Game 4 of their second-round series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers guard Austin Reaves is fouled by the Golden State Warriors’ Andrew Wiggins as he shoots during the fourth quarter of Game 4 of their second-round series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers guard Lonnie Walker IV, right, and Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson pursue a loose ball during the fourth quarter of Game 4 of their second-round series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers guard Lonnie Walker IV, right, grabs a loose ball away from Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson during the fourth quarter of Game 4 of their second-round playoff series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Lakers guard Lonnie Walker IV, right, shoots as Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson defends during the second half of Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry dribbles between Lakers stars LeBron James, left, and Anthony Davis during Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry dribbles between Lakers stars LeBron James, left, and Anthony Davis during Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Lakers forward LeBron James, right, shoots over Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry during the fourth quarter of Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Lakers forward Anthony Davis shoots as Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green defends during the second half of Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Lakers guard Lonnie Walker IV, right, shoots over the Golden State Warriors’ Moses Moody during the fourth quarter of Game 4 of their second-round series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry celebrates after making a 3-point shot and drawing a foul during the second half of Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Lakers on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Lakers guard Austin Reaves, center, fouls Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry as they both reach for the ball during the fourth quarter of Game 4 of their second-round series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers forward LeBron James blocks a shot by Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry during the fourth quarter of Game 4 of their second-round series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers forward LeBron James, top, blocks a shot from Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry, center left, during the second half of Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
The Lakers’ Anthony Davis, center, reacts to LeBron James right, and Austin Reaves during the second half of Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Golden State Warriors on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry misses a 3-point attempt as the Lakers’ Anthony Davis defends during the fourth quarter of Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry, left, shoots as Lakers forward Anthony Davis defends during the second half of Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Lakers guard Lonnie Walker IV pulls down a rebound to give the Lakers possession during the final seconds of Game 4 of their second-round series against the Golden State Warriors on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers star Anthony Davis, center, grabs a rebound between the Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson, left, and Andrew Wiggins late in Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Lakers star Anthony Davis calls for possession late in Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Golden State Warriors on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry, bottom, loses the ball as Lakers forward LeBron James defends during the final minute of Game 4 of their second-round series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry, below, watches along with Lakers forward LeBron James, left, and guard Moses Moody, center, and forward Andrew Wiggins, right, after he passed the ball out of bounds after falling during the closing seconds of Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Lakers forward Anthony Davis, center, celebrates after Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry, left, passed the ball out of bounds while falling as forward Draymond Green watches during the second half of Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
The Golden State Warriors’ Moses Moody bends over to help teammate Steph Curry off the court during the fourth quarter of Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Lakers on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Lakers players greet teammate Anthony Davis, right, as time expires in their 104-101 victory over the Golden State Warriors in Game 4 of their second-round series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry walks off the court after a 104-101 loss to the Lakers in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinal series against the Lakers on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Lakers forwards Anthony Davis, left, and LeBron James, right, congratulate guard Lonnie Walker IV (4) after he scored 15 points in the fourth quarter to help rally them to a 104-101 victory over the Golden State Warriors in Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers forwards Anthony Davis, left, and LeBron James, right, congratulate guard Lonnie Walker IV after he helped the Lakers defeat the Golden State Warriors, 104-101, in Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Lakers stars LeBron James, right, and Anthony Davis congratulate each other after their 104-101 victory over the Golden State Warriors in Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Lakers forward LeBron James, left, congratulates Lonnie Walker IV after the Lakers defeated the Golden State Warriors, 104-101, in Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Lakers forward LeBron James, left, congratulates Lonnie Walker IV after the Lakers defeated the Golden State Warriors, 104-101, in Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Actor Jack Nicholson shares a laugh from his courtside seat during Game 4 of the Lakers’ second-round series against the Golden State Warriors on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers forward LeBron James reacts prior to Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Golden State Warriors on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Former Lakers star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar smiles during the first half of Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Golden State Warriors on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Red Hot Chili Peppers musician Flea tries to pump up the crowd during a timeout in the fourth quarter of Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinal series between the Lakers and the Golden State Warriors on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
A Golden State Warriors fan cheers for his team during the second quarter of Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinal series against the Lakers on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Actor Chris Pratt mingles with the Lakers ahead of Game 4 of their second-round series against the Golden State Warriors on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers stars LeBron James, left, and Anthony Davis stay focused before Game 4 of their second-round series against the Golden State Warriors on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Fans gather before the start of Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinal series between the Lakers and the Golden State Warriors on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry stretches prior to Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Lakers on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
LOS ANGELES — Would this finally be the game Anthony Davis abandoned his playoff practice of sizzling one game and slumping the next? Would there be a repeat of LeBron James’ heroics in Game 4 of the Lakers’ first-round victory over the Memphis Grizzlies? Would they contain Steph Curry and Klay Thompson?
Yes.
Yes and no.
No and yes.
The Lakers and Golden State Warriors answered those and many other questions during Game 4 of their second-round playoff series on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena. By the end of the game, one thing was certain: Nothing was certain about a series that has featured wild swings of momentum and emotion.
The teams produced a nail-biter, a nerve-jangling thriller for Game 4 after swapping blowout victories in Games 2 and 3. In the end, backup guard Lonnie Walker IV helped the Lakers wrestle a 104-101 victory from the Warriors and take a commanding 3-1 series lead in the best-of-seven series.
“Game ball definitely goes to him,” James said. “We don’t win without him.”
Said Walker: “I’ve got a lot of confidence in myself. I know what I’m capable of doing.”
Walker scored 15 of the Lakers’ 27 points in the pivotal fourth quarter, when they limited the Warriors to 17 points on 6-for-17 shooting. Walker was 6 for 9 from the field and added two free throws that made it 104-101 with 15 seconds remaining, after Curry had shanked two jump shots with Davis in his face.
Then after Walker’s free throws, Davis intercepted an errant pass from Draymond Green to Thompson. Davis then won a jump ball from Andrew Wiggins after he was tied up with 2.3 seconds left, but neither Davis nor Curry could control the ball and it trickled out of bounds, awarded to the Lakers.
A sellout crowd of 18,997 that included 86-year-old Jack Nicholson for the second time during these playoffs roared in a mixture of celebration and relief.
Game 5 is Wednesday night at Chase Center.
Buckle up.
The winner of the Lakers-Warriors series moves on to face either the Denver Nuggets or Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference finals. That series is tied 2-2, with each team winning twice on its home floor. Game 5 is Tuesday in Denver.
“There’s a confidence that we can figure this out,” Curry said of being down 3-1 in the series. “Obviously, just focus on winning Game 5 and take it from there. You can’t fast forward to the end, but we have a lot of confidence in our ability to take the good things from tonight and protect our home court. Gotta maintain positivity, we know how tough this was tonight, but there’s a long way to go.”
Curry led the Warriors with a triple-double (31 points, 10 rebounds, 14 assists), but he made only 12 of 30 shots and just 3 of 14 from 3-point range. Thompson had only nine points on 3-for-11 shooting, including a 3-for-9 showing from behind the arc. Wiggins had 17 points.
James led the Lakers with 27 points on 10-for-25 shooting, including 2 for 9 from 3-point range. Davis had 23 points on 10-for-16 shooting and 15 rebounds, two nights after he had 25 points and 13 rebounds. Austin Reaves scored 21 points on 7-for-15 shooting. Walker added a fourth-quarter spark.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr switched to a three-guard starting lineup – Gary Payton II scored a season-high 15 points in his first start of the season – after the Lakers held the Warriors to 97 points in Game 3, and the changes largely worked. Davis, who blocked 11 shots in the first three games, wasn’t able to protect the rim with the same ferocity when his defensive matchups required him to go out to the perimeter, and the Warriors capitalized with 52 points in the paint.
The Lakers trailed by 12 points in the third quarter and were down 84-77 entering the fourth. Lakers coach Darvin Ham called on Walker instead of D’Angelo Russell, who had only four points and had missed nine of 10 shots one game after scoring 21 points on 8-for-13 shooting.
Walker, who started 32 of the Lakers’ first 35 games this season, had fallen out of the rotation after Russell was acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Feb. 9 trade deadline, but he impressed Ham during the fourth quarter of the Lakers’ loss to the Warriors in Game 2 and got rewarded with a few minutes in their 30-point win in Game 3.
“He just kept himself together and stayed positive, stayed supportive of his teammates,” Ham said. “That karma, that good, productive, positive karma, it’s real. I mean, whatever you put out in the world, you know, there’s a 360-degree existence that we live in, and whatever you put out goes full circle. It’ll come back and slap you in the face or come back and hug you. The energy he put out, it came back and hugged him, and hugged us. Because we needed all of that.”
No question, the Lakers needed something, anything, as they fell behind in the third quarter, after Gary Payton II ignited an 11-0 run for the Warriors. The Lakers were tentative with the ball and easy pickings defensively, with Curry heating up after he and Thompson had only three points each in the first quarter.
Walker began the fourth quarter by hitting a 3-pointer, James followed with a 3-pointer and Davis sank a hook shot. Suddenly, the Lakers caught the Warriors at 84-all with 10:23 remaining. Walker’s layup put the Lakers ahead 86-84, but Curry tied it and then made it 90-88 a moment later with a four-point play.
Back and forth it went down the stretch.
James hit two free throws, then Walker made a 3-pointer and James hit two more free throws for a 102-99 lead with 1:19 left. Curry’s driving layup cut it to 102-101, but the Warriors never scored again and Walker made his two clutch free throws as the Lakers won their fifth in a row in the playoffs at home (they’ve won eight straight at home since March).
“Austin, D-Lo (Russell), Lonnie tonight, Vando (Jarred Vanderbilt) making shots, playing well defensively – those other guys are going to help us go where we want to go,” Davis said. “We don’t try to put too much pressure on ourselves. We have trust in all our other guys. We kept putting the ball in Lonnie’s hands, running the pick-and-roll and let him make the reads and make the plays. He played well tonight, but we have a lot of trust in our guys and trust that they’re going to make the right play.”
Lonnie Walker IV is celebrated by his @Lakers teammates after his 15-point 4th quarter!
Lakers now lead the series 3-1… they can advance with a Game 5 win on Wednesday, 10pm/et on TNT. pic.twitter.com/0Z81Pj7dOa
Elliott Teaford covers the Los Angeles Chargers for the Orange County Register and the Southern California News Group. He covered the Anaheim Ducks for 19 seasons, including eight of the past 10 for SCNG. He covered their Stanley Cup championship team in 2006-07. He also covered the Lakers for five seasons, including their back-to-back NBA championships in 2008-09 and 2009-10, and the Clippers for one. He is a Long Beach State graduate.
