Dave McMenaminESPN Staff May 9, 2023 4:21 AM ETminuteRead_%{totalMinutes}
LOS ANGELES — With an offensive performance in the fourth quarter unequaled by any Lakers player since Kobe Bryant did before he was born, Lonnie Walker took over Game 4 of Los Angeles’ second-round series against the Golden State Warriors.
Walker scored all 15 of his points in the fourth — becoming the first Laker to score 15 points or more in the fourth quarter of a playoff game since Bryant did it 26 years to the day — and led the Lakers to a 104-101 win on Monday night to give his team a 3-1 lead in the series and one win away from the Western Conference Finals.
Walker went 6-for-9 in the closing frame, matching field goals for the entire Warriors team (6-for-17). No shot was bigger than his pull-up jumper with Stephen Curry guarding him with 1:53 remaining that put the Lakers to 100-99, a lead they wouldn’t give up.
“It just comes with a lot of confidence,” Walker said of Curry’s shot. “I did a few other shots before that and I think my confidence was at an all-time high for sure. … It’s probably a difficult shot for others, but it’s really not a difficult shot for me. “
“The ball definitely goes to him,” LeBron James said of Lonnie Walker IV. “We don’t win without him.” Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images
As the final buzzer sounded, Walker, who had mostly come out of Lakers coach Darvin Ham’s playoff rotation before Game 3 against the Warriors, collapsed to the ground, overwhelmed by the moment.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis quickly picked him up and hugged him before the entire team crowded into celebration.
“The cue ball definitely goes to him,” said James, who was also crucial in the LA Rally from seven to the start of the fourth. “We won’t win without him.”
LA immediately closed it out with a 7-0 run after the break in the third quarter, with James finding Walker for a 3, followed by James hitting himself and then assisting Davis on a turnaround shot in the lane.
James, the 20-year veteran, played all but 13 seconds in the fourth quarter and finished the game with 27 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists in 43 minutes.
Meanwhile, Davis has erased his stigma this postseason with 23 points, 15 rebounds and 3 steals from a strong Game 3.
But the night belonged to Walker.
“When your mind and heart are in a good place, the body follows,” Ham said of the 24-year-old guard, who signed with LA on the midlevel exception last summer.
Walker can step out of the second year of his contract and become a free agent this summer. If he remains a contributor for the remainder of the postseason, the Lakers will certainly consider restructuring his deal for a longer-term commitment.
Walker started in 32 games for the Lakers this season, but most of those came before LA overtook his team at the trade deadline and Walker’s role was reduced.
After LA lost Game 2 to Golden State, Ham changed his rotation and put Walker ahead of Troy Brown Jr. and Malik Beasley, and Walker responded with 12 points in Game 3, followed by Monday’s memorable night.
“The greatest feeling imaginable,” Walker said when asked to describe his feelings. “I dreamed of it as a kid. Not just being part of the playoffs, but influencing them, let alone winning the playoffs. I’m really proud of myself. It really shows my skills. Just my mental strength. I think the hardest part about being able to play a lot and then not playing at all is sticking with it.
Walker’s defense was also instrumental in Curry and Klay Thompson coming to a combined 4-for-15 in game four.
“At the end of the day, I’m a role player and I have to do what I have to do to make my team win,” Walker said. “Doing all the little things, playing great defense, rebounding, taking on an attack, whatever it is.”
The Lakers can wrap up the series Wednesday at the Chase Center in San Francisco; They would then await the winner of the Phoenix Suns-Denver Nuggets series, tied 2-2.
Whatever Game 5 may bring, Walker’s Game 4 will be a part of Lakers lore for years to come.
“To be honest, it may or may not sound narcissistic, but I’m in love with myself and I want to be my best self,” Walker said. “So I think that’s the real goal. I’m ambitious and I’m excited to be where LeBron and AD are and to be a star.”