The Golden State Warriors took on the Los Angeles Lakers in the all-important game 4 recently. The Lakers rallied hard to run away with a close 104-101 win over the Dubs. While LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and others played a huge part in the team’s success, an unlikely hero emerged after the game. It was Lonnie Walker IV. Walker has a one-year deal with the Lakers and it seems like he is all charged up to make the most of the limited game time he is getting.
The Lakers star recently opened up about his feelings before the game. Moreover, he revealed how the game preparations ‘pissed’ his girlfriend off.
Lakers star opens up on playing in the playoffs
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Lonnie Walker IV spent the first four years of his NBA career with the San Antonio Spurs. He received limited minutes for the Spurs and the search for more playing time led him to the Lakers.
As the LA side took on the Warriors in the second round of the playoffs, Walker grabbed the opportunity of a lifetime. He was getting meaningful minutes for the first time in his career in game 3. Coming off the bench, he scored 12 points in 24 minutes which urged the coach to give him more minutes.
Ahead of the crucial game 4, Walker apparently couldn’t get himself to sleep! “Like a dream. I mean, truthfully speaking, I didn’t go to sleep until like four or five in the morning last night, I could not go to sleep. My girl was pretty pissed off at me. But I was really happy, man,” said the 24-year-old.
In game 4, Lonnie Walker IV came off the bench and did something historical. He scored all 15 of his points in the fourth quarter. Incidentally, he is only the second player to score 15 or more points in a playoff game off the bench since the late great Kobe Bryant. Interestingly, Bryant had achieved this feat 26 years ago, when Walker IV wasn’t even born!
What did LeBron James say about Walker’s performance?
Lonnie Walker IV scored 15 points while shooting 6-of-9. Now, that’s some performance! It seems LeBron James is a fan as well. During the post-game press conference, the four-time NBA champion acknowledged Walker’s performance.
"We don't win this game without Lonnie Walker tonight. That's for sure."
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 9, 2023
LeBron James on Lonnie Walker IV's 4th QTR performance in Game 4 pic.twitter.com/udd4MgieSU
According to King James, the Lakers couldn’t have beaten the Warriors 104-101 without Walker. “We don’t win this game without Lonnie Walker tonight. That’s for sure,” said James.
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LeBron had a great scoring night himself. The 38-year-old scored 27 points, 6 assists, and 9 rebounds while shooting 10-of-25 from the field.
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