Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers came up short after a rigorous 113-116 battle with the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 4. Although the disappointment of the loss is felt throughout the franchise, Doncic expressed that he was still hopeful for the upcoming game.
While discussing the outcome of Game 4 with the media, Doncic said, “It’s definitely disappointing. But we haven’t lost anything yet. First to 4 wins and we just gotta still believe.”
Doncic himself was recovering from an illness coming into Game 4. After a stomach bug saw him in a terrible state for Game 3, it was a positive sight for the guard to be available and healthy on the floor.
“I have been mostly lying down, not doing anything,” said the Lakers star in response to questions about his health and recovery. “I just needed to get some rest, and today, I feel better. There’s no excuse not to win this game.”
Doncic was also asked about the fatigue and the impact it had on the team late in the game. He responded like his running mate, LeBron James, and said, “This is the playoffs. Fatigue shouldn’t play any role in this… I think they just executed better on the offensive end during the last minutes.”
Doncic’s comments about the Minnesota Timberwolves’ offensive execution certainly hold. Wolves guard Anthony Edwards went off for 43 points on the night as he led the comeback effort in the fourth quarter. Edwards embraced the role of the leader by displaying his scoring prowess and physicality, and the Wolves followed his example.
A 10-point lead to start the fourth quarter evaporated behind some poor offensive execution. Although head coach JJ Redick has already called the team out for their underwhelming defense this series, the team visibly struggled as fatigue undoubtedly had an impact on the performance.
The Lakers looked sluggish in the fourth. While dragging their feet on virtually every play, the Purple and Gold struggled with indecisive passes and poor shot selection. James, who had scored 27 points in three quarters, looked immensely tentative in the fourth. With the Lakers’ starters for the second half playing out the remainder of the game, it is evident that the players were drained.
Fatigue is an inevitable outcome of a battle of attrition. What will be a matter of concern for the coaching staff will be identifying why Doncic’s playmaking has become so restricted. The stagnant state of the offense is a major factor in their reduced output, and perhaps the key to winning Game 5 lies in solving this problem.
However, the situation doesn’t bode well for the Lakers as they head home to Los Angeles for Game 5. The Wolves are in complete control of the series, and Edwards seems to have found the key to establishing himself as the best player on the floor.
With the upcoming game taking place on Wednesday at 10 pm ET, the Lakers will hope to address their problems and keep their postseason aspirations alive.
