The Los Angeles Lakers face a critical Game 5 against the Minnesota Timberwolves with their postseason hopes hanging by a thread. Following a challenging Game 4 loss, the Lakers find themselves down 3-1 in the series. Thankfully for Lakers fans, health concerns are minimal with only Maxi Kleber's status in question, as he's listed as questionable for the game. Rui Hachimura remains available, which could be pivotal. Coach JJ Redick highlighted the team's struggles, particularly in the fourth quarter, where they possess the lowest offensive and defensive ratings among playoff teams, with a staggering net rating of minus-42.9. The Lakers will need to overcome these fourth-quarter woes if they hope to extend their playoff run.

In Game 4 of the NBA playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers faltered against the Minnesota Timberwolves, losing 116-113 after squandering a double-digit lead. Coach JJ Redick’s decision to rely heavily on just five players in the second half left the team fatigued, with critical errors made in the closing moments. LeBron James, 41, saw limited scoring late in the game, attempting only two shots in the fourth quarter, raising concerns about his endurance. This pattern of exhaustion has plagued the Lakers throughout the series, especially as they now trail 3-1.

Redick's strategy faced scrutiny as Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves also struggled to maintain their early game momentum, shooting inefficiently in the fourth quarter. The Lakers' inability to secure fourth-quarter leads has been a recurring theme in this series, necessitating a tactical shift if they hope to advance beyond Game 5.

In a pivotal Game 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick faced criticism for his decision to stick with the same five players throughout the second half. Despite a strong start with LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Dorian Finney-Smith scoring effectively, the reliance on this lineup led to fatigue and a dismal fourth quarter. The Lakers scored only 19 points while allowing 32, resulting in a 116-113 loss and a 3-1 series deficit. Redick’s coaching blunder raised concerns about the team's depth, particularly their lack of a reliable center rotation and inconsistent contributions from guards.

The Los Angeles Lakers faced a crucial setback in Game 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, losing 116-113 and putting their playoff hopes on the line. Head coach JJ Redick made a bold decision to play with just five players in the second half: LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Rui Hachimura. This strategy proved risky as it resulted in fatigue, particularly during the decisive fourth quarter where the Lakers were outscored 32-19.

Despite the initial success of the lineup, which scored the first 14 points of the third quarter, the team ultimately struggled with shooting, hitting only 27.8% in the final period. Redick clarified that this unusual approach wasn’t pre-planned but was a reaction to the flow of the game. With this loss, the Lakers, once buoyed by a promising trade for Doncic, now stand just one defeat away from elimination, intensifying the urgency for strategic adjustments.

The Los Angeles Lakers faced another disappointing loss in Game 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, losing 116-113 after being outscored down the stretch. Despite leading by 10 points going into the fourth quarter, they couldn't close out the game, primarily due to turnovers and missed opportunities. Anthony Edwards shone for Minnesota, scoring 16 of his 43 points in the fourth quarter, while the Lakers struggled with rebounds and allowed 20 second-chance points.

Rui Hachimura had a strong showing for the Lakers with 23 points, but key players like LeBron James and Austin Reaves faltered in crunch time. James, while scoring 27 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, made critical mistakes in the final minutes. The Lakers now face elimination as they prepare for Game 5 at Crypto.com Arena.