Lakers comeback led by LeBron, and AD; defeat Warriors 104-101 to take commanding 3-1 series lead

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Lakers last night were mainly led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis, led by their offensive output and their mere defensive presence helped them comeback late in the game and take a commanding 3-1 series lead over he defending champion Golden State Warriors by defeating them in game 4 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals 104-101.

The Lakers might have been led by LeBron and AD but Lonnie Walker IV was the one who made the difference, Walker hadn't been much of a show in Los Angeles' rotation but late in Game 2, Lakers Head Coach Darvin Ham was impressed with Walker's production late in Game 2 in the losing effort against Golden State. Ham's confidence would prove worth it as Lonnie Walker IV scored points in the 4th Quarter alone and got the Lakers back into the game.

When Walker wasn't being featured in the rotation he didn't sulk or pout about it, he put his head down and got to work. Walker's perseverance would payoff greatly as Walker's heroics in the 4th quarter where he outshot Stephen Curry and put Los Angeles on his back in the fourth quarter, Walker's heroics put The Los Angeles Lakers in a spot that nobody in the NBA community thought they would be after starting 2-10, on the brink of the Western Conference Finals.

Walker spoke about his stellar performance post-game, “(It’s) the greatest feeling you could ever imagine,” Walker said with a smile. “As a kid, this is something I've been dreaming of.”

Walker talked about the stellar 4th Quarter where he scored 15 points as Los Angeles mounted a comeback late in Game 4 to take a commanding lead with a 104-101 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Monday night.

The Lakers were led by their star duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, LeBron dropped in 27 points and Anthony Davis added 23 points and 15 rebounds for Los Angeles. Walker's heroics might have gotten LA in the position but LeBron and AD won The Lakers the game, AD and LeBron's defensive efforts would seal and force Curry to miss a late game tying shot and for Draymond Green to commit a turnover late in the 4th Quarter.

The Lakers would overcome a huge effort by reigning Finals MVP Stephen Curry who posted a triple-double, his third-career playoff triple-double. The Lakers overcame Steph and Golden State down the stretch due to the production from Walker off the bench who was 6-9 from the field in the fourth quarter. Walker started hot on the opening possession of the quarter and never seemed to cool down.

The emergence of Walker might be of surprise to us but not to Walker or his teammates. Lonnie Walker IV sat out Game 1 but in Game 2 he scored 9, and 12 in Game 3. Game 2 might change the Lakers fate forever, because without Walker last night Los Angeles doesn't win and we're going back to The Chase Center with the series tied a 2 a piece.

Walker praised himself post-game, “I’m a scorer mentality first,” Walker said. “I’ve got a lot of confidence in myself. I know what I’m capable of, and after a lot of sacrifice and a lot of time in the gym, the fruition finally came today.”

Walker's hard work paid off in Game 4, he hit the go-ahead shot with 1:53 left in the game, followed by Curry's layup with 1:05 left that trimmed LA's lead to just one, Curry however missed a long jumper guarded by AD where his mere presence on Curry altered the shot. Walker would later sink free throws late in the quarter to sink the game for The Lakers.

Walker's teammates were not surprised at all by his contribution in Game 4, LeBron spoke on Walker in Game 4 post-game, “We don’t win this game tonight without Lonnie Walker, that’s for sure," James said. "As hard as this game was, it’s going to be even harder. We understand that. We know that.”

The Lakers and Warriors will meet again in Game 5 on Wednesday night at the Chase Center at 10:00 P.M. Live on TNT. The Lakers will look to wrap up the series in five games and acquire some extra rest before the Western Conference Finals as the Warriors will look to defend home court and extend their season.

Golden State hasn't been down 3-1 in a series since 2016, they came back in that series, the warriors must overcome this deficit as they aim to continue their title defence. The Warriors will need Stephen Curry to play like he did in game 4, where he posted his 13th career triple-double where he had had 31 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists.

Head Coach Steve Kerr spoke post-game, “It feels like what it is: (a) 3-1 (deficit). You go home, take care of business, get a win, and the momentum is right back in your favor,” coach Steve Kerr said. “That’s all it is. … The Lakers did a great job of holding serve here, so now we’ve got to go back and get a win at home and flip the momentum.”

The Warriors led Los Angeles by as much as 12 late in the game, but due to LeBron, AD, and Lonnie Walker's heroics that lead was chased down like LeBron on a fast break, Walker's teammates embraced him after the win with LeBron hugging him after the final buzzer.

Head Coach Darvin Ham spoke on Walker post-game, “The kid is a beautiful kid,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said. “He fell out of the rotation through no fault of his own, but he remained professional. He remained high-spirited, positive, and really kept working on his game every day, especially in these playoffs. When your mind is in the right place, your body follows.”

The Warriors apart from curry didn't have much production, they had Gary Payton II who in his first start of the season scored 15 points but other than that Golden State didn't have much production, Klay Thompson had another quiet game after vowing to show out in honor of Kobe and Gigi, only scoring nine points in 41 minutes. Andrew Wiggins added 17 but throughout the game it felt like Curry was the only one doing any damage. Especially with Jordan Poole not scoring at all in Game 4.

Gary Payton however has stayed optimistic despite being down 3-1, “We're still positive,” Payton said. “We know we have them down the line. We've just got to make one more run late, and you just create that space and opportunity.”

The Warriors, thanks to Kerr's adjustments would score 52 points in the paint, this was due to the three guard lineup that would have AD being dragged out from the paint where he has reigned supreme throughout the playoffs. With Davis not being in the paint as often it would help the Warriors to cut more of ten and to score in the paint with ease.

Los Angeles made up for Golden States adjustments, LA made all 20 of their free throws, w while Austin Reaves added on 21 key points.

Walker made up for what D'Angelo Russell couldn't do, shoot the ball. The Lakers won in a gritty manner thankful to Lonnie Walker IV.

The Los Angeles Lakers will look to book their trip to the Western Conference Finals on Wednesday night in Game 5, LeBron James will attempt to lead his Lakers once again, as well with AD and his defensive presence in the paint, The Warriors on their side will look to keep their season alive in Game 5 in The Chase Center, Steph Curry will look to lead his Golden Sate Warriors to defend home court and keep their title defence alive, The Warriors will also look to Klay and Jordan Poole who have had shaky games recently for support in Game 5. Game 5 will be at 10:00 PM Live on TNT.