The Los Angeles Lakers are now on the brink of elimination after a crushing 116–113 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series.
Despite holding a 12-point lead late in the third quarter, the Lakers unraveled down the stretch — and now trail 3–1
LeBron’s Warning: “Every game is different”
LeBron James finished with 27 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists, but his post-game comments struck a noticeably concerned tone.
“We got into some good actions, got good looks,” James said. “Every game is different — what was available today may not be there on Wednesday.”
It was a subtle but serious signal: the Lakers must adapt quickly or face a swift playoff exit. LeBron’s tone made it clear — the margin for error is gone.
Timberwolves Storm Back Behind Edwards’ 43
The Timberwolves leaned heavily on Anthony Edwards, who delivered a massive 43-point performance, including 14 made free throws. His relentless aggression helped swing momentum in the fourth quarter, where the Lakers were outscored 32–19.
A 14–0 third-quarter run briefly gave the Lakers control, but they couldn’t sustain it. Austin Reaves missed a game-tying three-pointer in the final seconds, highlighting their repeated late-game struggles.
Hachimura Holds Hope
While LeBron reflected pressure, Rui Hachimura remained confident:
“Oh we gonna get one, this is not done yet. We right there, just gotta fix little things,” Hachimura said. “Fourth quarter has been a problem… we are gonna be locked in. Little mistakes hurt us, gotta be better on that side.”
Hachimura had 23 points, while Luka Dončić, returning from illness, posted a strong 38-point outing. But the Lakers bench was a non-factor, and Coach JJ Redick’s decision to ride just five players for the entire second half sparked criticism.
Game 5: Do or Die in LA
The Lakers return to Crypto.com Arena for Game 5 on Wednesday, April 30 (9:00 PM CT on TNT). They’ll need to deliver a perfect game to survive.
A first-round exit would be a major disappointment for a team built around LeBron James and Luka Dončić — and could signal bigger offseason changes ahead if they can’t force a Game 6.
