An Unlikely Hero: Walker IV steps up as Lakers take 3-1 series lead over Warriors

A stunning, 15-point fourth quarter courtesy of Lonnie Walker IV has powered the Lakers to a come-from-behind 104-101 win over the Warriors in Game 5 in Los Angeles to take a 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven series.

Walker IV, whose minutes had evaporated following the trade deadline, was elevated back into Los Angeles’ rotation by head coach Darvin Ham for the third and fourth games of this series and has answered the call superbly.

The 24-year-old, who had not taken a shot prior to the fourth quarter, finished the game with 15 points and two steals on 6-of-9 shooting in a late-game explosion that elated the purple and gold faithful.

In a strong, group effort, a trio of Lakers put up 20 or more points.

LeBron James finished with 27 points, nine rebounds, and six assists on 10-of-24 shooting whilst Anthony Davis had 23 points, 15 rebounds, and three steals on 10-of-16 shooting.

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Davis put up 19 in the first half but struggled to involve himself in the Lakers’ second-half offence – James, Walker, Austin Reaves and Dennis Schröder all shot the ball more or as often as Davis across the final two quarters.

Speaking of Reaves and Schröder, the former finished with 21 points and four assists on 7-of-15 shooting whilst the latter added 10 points of his own and finished a game-high +14.

D’Angelo Russell, fresh off a phenomenal Game 3 performance, had a difficult night finishing with just four points on 1-of-10 from the field and 0-of-4 from three.

Both teams fought through a back-and-forth first half before a Warriors detonation opened up a 12-point lead approaching the end of the third.

As they have done so often this season, the Lakers crafted an extended 23-11 run to storm back and tie it early in the fourth.

Headed by Davis, Los Angeles tightened the screws defensively in the fourth and held the Dubs to just 17 points in the period – Stephen Curry was the only Warrior to make multiple, fourth-quarter shots.

The Warriors led by three entering the final three minutes, but some big James free throws coupled with a tough Walker IV jumper helped the home team wrestle the lead back and hold on for a major victory.

Golden State won the points in the paint battle along with the fastbreak battle but committed 16 turnovers and shot under 30 per cent from three.

The Lakers won the rebounding edge and shot 20-of-20 from the stripe.

Golden State were led by Curry’s 31 points, 10 rebounds, and 14 assists on 12-of-30 from the field and 3-of-14 from three.

Andrew Wiggins had 17 points and two steals whilst Gary Payton II, who was inserted into the starting lineup in place of JaMychal Green, added 15 points on 7-of-9 shooting.

Klay Thompson had a tough night shooting finishing with just nine points on 3-of-11 from the field whilst Draymond Green put up eight points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists.

The series shifts back to San Francisco for a crucial Game 5 on Thursday.

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