
via Imago
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 14: Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James 6, forward Anthony Davis 3, forward Carmelo Anthony 7, forward Trevor Ariza 1, guard Kendrick Nunn 12 and forward Kent Bazemore 9 on the bench during the San Antonio Spurs vs Los Angeles Lakers game on November 14, 2021, at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire NBA, Basketball Herren, USA NOV 14 Spurs at Lakers Icon2111144059

via Imago
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 14: Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James 6, forward Anthony Davis 3, forward Carmelo Anthony 7, forward Trevor Ariza 1, guard Kendrick Nunn 12 and forward Kent Bazemore 9 on the bench during the San Antonio Spurs vs Los Angeles Lakers game on November 14, 2021, at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire NBA, Basketball Herren, USA NOV 14 Spurs at Lakers Icon2111144059
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Lakers star opens up on playing in the playoffs
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.

USA Today via Reuters
May 8, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) dribbles the ball against Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (22) in the second half of game four of the 2023 NBA playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
"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.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
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.
WATCH THIS STORY: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, James Harden, and other NBA stars having the most games with 10 three-pointers
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT