Lonnie 'Skywalker' Grabs a Win for LA

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Golden State Warriors Monday night by three points during game four of the series, 104-101. The game was a marathon rather than a sprint for LA as they finally heated up and took over the game in the last few minutes of the fourth quarter. The Lakers currently have the lead, 3-1, in the series against the Warriors who are at work to defend their championship title.

Lonnie Walker IV came through at the end of the game and made clutch moves to help his teammates take control of the ball. He earned 15 points, three rebounds and two assists in the 27 minutes he was on the court. Walker IV is the first Lakers bench player to score over 15 points in the fourth quarter of a playoff game since Kobe Bryant. In a postgame interview, Coach Darvin Ham commented on Walker IV’s powerful gameplay. “Lonnie came in and played well...he fell out of rotation...but remained a trooper, professional, high spirited,” said Coach Ham. “When your heart and mind is in a good place, the body follows...kudos to him.”

When asked in the postgame press conference how he carried the offensive load in the fourth period, Walker IV said, “I got a lot of confidence in myself, I know my value. I know what I’m capable of doing by the grace of God and a lot of hard work and sacrifices and time.”

Los Angeles had a slower start in this game compared to the earlier games of the series. The energy and enthusiasm did not reach the known level until after the second half. Both teams seemed off their game and tired during the first quarter. There were countless missed baskets that should have been easily made and rebounds that should have been grabbed.

In the third quarter, the arena came to life. Lebron James, Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves all started to show more energy as Los Angeles took the lead, 59-57. The boost of energy lasted till the end of the period and back-to-back clutch plays from James and Denis Schröder helped Los Angeles gain back confidence. The Lakers were no longer in the lead, but Golden State did not increase the gap by much. Warrior stars Stephen Curry and Klayton Thompson were off their game and LA took it to their advantage.

By the start of the last quarter the game was 77-84, Warriors. Walker IV, James, and Davis worked together to tie the game within the first few minutes. After a turnover from the Warriors, Walker IV sprinted down the court for a layup with no one able to guard him. James made an impressive block and LA’s aggression heated up. For the second time in the fourth quarter, the game was tied again with 7 minutes to spare.

The game was an emotional roller coaster with a dramatic end. With five seconds to spare, Curry got his hands on a jump ball and threw it behind him on purpose. It was a Laker ball with one second left and LA stayed on it long enough to grab the win. In the postgame press conference, Coach Ham addressed how the Lakers pulled off a third win against the defending champs. “No other team on earth plays the way they play...their chemistry their rhythm...its daunting,” said Coach Ham. “But one of the elements of trying to stay close and come up with victory is keeping the scoreboard on your side.”

It was a narrow escape for the Lakers, with help from Walker IV to defend their home court. LA will travel to San Francisco for the next battle to claim the best of the west.