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Dave McMenamin, Editor of ESPN
LOS ANGELES — Delivers unprecedented fourth-quarter offensive record Lakers player since Kobe Bryant did it before he was born, Lonnie Walker IV take over Game 4 of the second series of Los Angeles first golden empire warriors.
Walker scored all of his 15 points in the fourth round — becoming the first Laker to score 15 or more in the fourth innings of a knockout since Bryant did it 26 years ago — and lead the Lakers to a win 104-101 On Monday night to give his team a 3-1 lead in the series and a win over the Western Conference finals.
Walker won 6 to 9 in goal, matching goals scored by the entire Warriors (6 to 17). There’s no bigger hit than his pull-up jump with Stephen’s Curry defended him with 1:53 remaining, giving the Lakers a 100-99 lead, a lead they wouldn’t give up.
“It just came with a lot of confidence,” Walker said of the shot on Curry. “I’ve taken a few other shots before that and I think my confidence is definitely at an all-time high. … It might be a tough shot for everyone else, but it’s worth it. really not a hard hit for me.”
When the final whistle blew, Walker, who barely made it to the knockout stages of Lakers coach Darvin Ham before Game 3 against the Warriors, collapsed to the floor, overwhelmed by the moment.
LeBron James And Anthony Davis quickly picked him up and gave him a hug before the whole team gathered to celebrate.
James, who was also a key player in LA’s rally from seven to the start of the fourth inning, said: “The game is definitely up to him. “We couldn’t have won without him.”
LA immediately took a 7-0 lead after the third half break, with James finding Walker to score 3, followed by James scoring himself then assisting Davis with a swing in road lane.
James, a 20-year veteran, played all but 13 seconds in the fourth inning, finishing the game with 27 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists in 43 minutes.
Meanwhile, Davis has shelved the stain time and time again this season with 23 points, 15 rebounds and 3 steals after a strong Game 3.
But the night belongs to Walker.
“When your mind and heart are in a good place, the body follows,” Ham said of the 24-year-old guard who signed with LA in a mid-level exception last summer.
Walker could turn down the second year of his contract and become a free agent this summer. If he remains a contributor for the remainder of the post-season, the Lakers will certainly be thinking about restructuring his deal for a more permanent commitment.
Walker has started 32 games for the Lakers this season, but most of those games have come before LA overhauled their team on trade deadlines and Walker’s role was reduced.
After LA lost to Golden State in Game 2, Ham reformed his rotation, giving Walker the lead Troy Brown Jr. And Malik Beasleyand Walker responded with 12 points in Game 3, followed by Monday’s memorable night.
“The most amazing feeling you can imagine,” Walker said when asked to describe his feelings. “As a kid, this is something I dreamed of doing. Not only being in the knockout round but impacting it, let alone winning the knockout round. I really proud of myself. It really shows my ability. It’s just my mental strength. I think the hardest thing to be able to play a lot and then not play at all is to stick with it. It.”
Walker’s defense was also instrumental in keeping Curry and Klay Thompson into a total of 4 for 15 in the fourth set.
“Ultimately I’m a player and I have to do what I have to do to make my team win,” Walker said. “Do all the little things, play great defense, rebound, attack, whatever that is possible.”
The Lakers could wrap up the series on Wednesday at the Chase Center in San Francisco; then they will wait for the winner of phoenix sun–Denver nuggets series, drawn 2-2.
Whatever Game 5 may bring, Walker’s Game 4 will be part of Lakers lore for years to come.
“Truth be told, it sounds narcissistic or not, but I love myself and I want to be myself,” Walker said. “So I think that’s the real goal. I’m ambitious and I’m eager to be in the position of LeBron and AD and be a star.”
