In a dramatic Game 4 showdown on Sunday, April 27, 2025, the Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves 116-113, putting the Lakers on the brink of elimination in the first round of the playoffs. The Timberwolves now lead the series 3-1, thanks in large part to the stellar performance of Anthony Edwards, who scored 43 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter, along with nine rebounds and six assists.
Lakers coach JJ Redick made a controversial decision by playing the same five players for the entire second half. This lineup consisted of LeBron James, Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Rui Hachimura. Redick explained his decision postgame, stating, "We certainly played well enough to win, and we gave the effort to win. It's not a planned thing to play five guys [for] an entire second half." He added that he trusted his players to let him know if they needed a substitution, but they opted to stay on the court.
The Lakers opened the second half with a 14-0 run, momentarily silencing the Minnesota crowd and establishing a 10-point lead at 94-84 at the start of the fourth quarter. However, the Timberwolves responded strongly, with Edwards leading the charge. He scored the first two baskets of the fourth quarter and contributed all 11 points for Minnesota as they clawed back into the game, making the score 99-95 with 7:42 remaining.
Despite the Lakers’ strong start, they struggled in the final quarter, shooting only five of 18 from the field. The Timberwolves capitalized on the Lakers’ fatigue, with Donte DiVincenzo’s and-1 play giving Minnesota a crucial two-possession lead with just two minutes left. Austin Reaves and Dorian Finney-Smith managed to hit back-to-back 3-pointers, briefly putting the Lakers ahead again.
In a tense final minute, Jaden McDaniels converted an and-1 opportunity that gave the Timberwolves a 114-113 lead. With less than 10 seconds remaining, LeBron James fouled Edwards, who then made both free throws to extend the Timberwolves' lead. The Lakers had one last chance to tie the game, but Reaves missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer.
Redick's decision to keep his starters on the floor for the entire second half drew mixed reactions. While the players expressed their willingness to play through fatigue, James insisted that the team's struggles were not due to tiredness, stating, "I don’t think fatigue had anything to do with it. Just missing some point-blank shots." This loss marked a critical moment for the Lakers, who are now facing a potential five-game elimination.
As the series progresses, the Lakers will need to regroup ahead of Game 5, scheduled for Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at 10 p.m. ET in Los Angeles. With their backs against the wall, they must find a way to overcome the Timberwolves’ momentum and avoid an early exit from the playoffs.
