The Daily Observer London Desk: Reporter- Judith Benjamin
The Lakers’ 104-101 win vs. the Warriors on Monday night was fueled by a hugely unlikely source.
It wasn’t LeBron James, Anthony Davis or even Austin Reaves leading the team’s offense down the stretch.
It was Lonnnie Walker IV, who hardly featured in the previous series vs. the Grizzlies.
With the Lakers down by seven after three quarters, Walker exploded for 15 points in the final frame, spurring LA to a successful comeback and a 3-1 series lead.
His teammate James was full of praise for him after the game.
LeBron James celebrates with Lonnie Walker IV after the guard’s fantastic fourth quarter
Walker scored all 15 of his points in the last period vs. Golden State on Monday night
‘It’s not even about tonight,’ he told TNT.
‘I’ve been telling him, I said, ‘Lonnie, stay ready. We gon’ need you at some point.'”
‘And for him to be as young as he is, for him to have that professionalism, come out stay ready when his number is called – we don’t win this game without Lonnie Walker tonight, that’s for sure.’
Walker averaged just 3.7 minutes across four games vs. Memphis as the Lakers eliminated the No. 2 seed in six games, but he was leaned on heavily on Monday.
The 2018 No. 18 overall pick got things going with a three-pointer assisted by James before giving the Lakers a two-point lead with a steal and layup.
