In a crucial Game 4 loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick acknowledged the team's ongoing struggles in the fourth quarter. Despite making a bold move to stick with the same starting lineup for an entire half, including star players LeBron James and Luka Doncic, the Lakers fell short down the stretch. Redick emphasized missed opportunities and highlighted the need for a full 48-minute effort moving forward. With the series on the line in Game 5, the Lakers face a must-win situation and must find a way to overcome their fourth-quarter woes to stay alive in the playoffs.
The Lakers' postseason fate hangs in the balance as they look to bounce back from a disappointing performance in Game 4. Redick's strategic decisions, including a shift to a small-ball lineup and a tightened rotation, will be tested as they aim to turn the series around. As they head into Game 5 with a sense of urgency, key players like Doncic are focused on channeling the energy and teamwork displayed in their dominant third-quarter showing to secure a critical victory. With their season on the line, the Lakers are determined to treat each game like a Game 7 and leave everything on the court in pursuit of playoff success.