Lakers on Brink of Elimination After 116-113 Loss to Timberwolves
The Los Angeles Lakers are on the verge of being eliminated from the playoffs after a 116-113 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 4 on Sunday. The Lakers now trail 3-1 in the series, with their season potentially ending in just 48 minutes.
According to The Los Angeles Times, the Lakers’ coach, JJ Redick, made a bold decision to go all-in with his starting lineup, playing Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Dorian Finney-Smith for the entire third quarter and into the fourth. However, the team’s energy waned in the final five minutes, allowing the Timberwolves to storm back and take control.
"We value each possession, move with purpose and speed over every inch of the court, make the right pass, hit the big shot, and do the right thing," Redick said, as quoted in The Los Angeles Times. "Over and over and over. These are the demands that must be met to win in the playoffs, and when you’re on the road in a building pulsating with energy such as the Timberwolves’ arena, the demands only intensify."
The Lakers took a 10-point lead into the fourth quarter, but were unable to maintain it, with the Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards proving to be a thorn in their side. Edwards finished with 43 points and nine rebounds, and his defensive play was instrumental in the Timberwolves’ comeback.
As reported by The Los Angeles Times, the Lakers’ decision to stick with their starters came at a cost, with fatigue potentially playing a factor in the team’s inability to close out the game. "I think once you’ve kind of made that decision, and they all are in, you just gotta trust them," Redick said.
The Lakers’ stars, including James and Doncic, made big plays down the stretch, but it was not enough to overcome the Timberwolves’ momentum. James, who scored 38 points in Game 3, was efficient once again, using his quickness and strength to get advantages against Minnesota’s excellent defense.
Hachimura, who wore a protective face mask after getting hit in the nose in Game 2, finished with 23 points and was a key contributor to the Lakers’ early lead. Reaves, who was limited to a scoreless first half by foul trouble, made five threes and finished with 17 points, but missed a three-pointer at the final buzzer that would have sent the game to overtime.
As noted in The Los Angeles Times, the Lakers’ loss was a disappointing one, with the team unable to capitalize on a seven-point lead with just five minutes to go. "This is not done yet," Hachimura said, as quoted in the publication. "But it’s close."
The Lakers will look to extend their season in Game 5, but they will have to do it without much margin for error. As The Los Angeles Times reports, the team’s inability to close out games has been a theme throughout the series, with the Lakers now facing an uphill battle to stay alive.
In the words of The Los Angeles Times, James seemed to feel that a crucial play went against the Lakers in the final seconds, with officials ruling that he committed a foul on Edwards, who made a pair of free throws to seal the win. "That play happens all the time," James said. "You know, hand is part of the ball. That’s what they said. I feel like the hand was a part of that ball. I was able to get his hand on top of the ball. The ball stripped out and out on him. Seen that play over and over before, but it is what it is."
The Lakers’ loss was a tough pill to swallow, with Finney-Smith summing up the team’s frustration. "It’s tough," he said, as quoted in The Los Angeles Times. "But it’s the playoffs. Don’t think nobody wanted to come out."
According to The Los Angeles Times, Redick was also frustrated, feeling that a crucial call went against the Lakers. "Well, let’s just start with Luka got tripped," he said. "I mean, that was a blatant trip. He doesn’t just fall on his own. We rewatched it. He gets tripped. So we should have been at the free-throw line."
The series now shifts back to Minneapolis, with the Timberwolves looking to close out the Lakers and advance to the next round. The Lakers, meanwhile, will have to dig deep to find a way to extend their season.
Source: The Los Angeles Times – https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/story/2025-04-27/lakers-lebron-james-anthony-edwards-minnesota-game-4-playoffs
