NBA PLAYOFFS
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers’ backs are against the wall.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have a commanding 3-1 lead over the Lakers as the first round series shifts back to Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles for Game 5. It’s now or never for the Lakers — win or go home.
The Lakers led by as many as 12 points in their 116-113 Game 4 loss to the Timberwolves on Sunday. Luka Doncic had 38 points and LeBron James added 27 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists, but the Lakers couldn’t hold off the surging Timberwolves. Instead of evening up the series, the Lakers dropped to 1-3. Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards led the way with a game-high 43 points and nine rebounds.
“Obviously you don’t think about winning three. You think about just getting the next one. That’s the only thing that matters. … So it’s all about Wednesday. That’s what’s important,” said James, who has been in this position before. James led the Cleveland Cavaliers‘ 3-1 comeback in the 2016 NBA Finals.
Teams with a 3-1 series lead in the NBA playoffs have a 275-13 record. Will the Lakers live to fight another day or will the Timberwolves finish off the first-round series on the road? Follow along with USA TODAY Sports for live updates and highlights from Game 5:
End of Q1: Timberwolves 31, Lakers 22
The Los Angeles Lakers have to win to keep their season alive and they didn’t get off to the best start in Game 5. Luka Doncic and LeBron James combined for nine points (1-of-8) in the first quarter. To make matters worse, Doncic is in foul trouble with two entering the second quarter.
The Minnesota Timberwolves jumped to a 21-9 lead over the Lakers and led by as many as 14 points in the first quarter. Rudy Gobert has a team-high nine points, while Julius Randle added eight points.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick abruptly exits presser
At the end of Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick’s pregame press conference before Game 5 on April 30, he was asked by a reporter if he leans on an assistant coach or has someone who can help him make rotation decisions given that five players played the entire second half in the Lakers’ Game 4 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
“Are you saying I’m inexperienced, and that was an inexperience decision that I made,” Redick replied. “Do you think I don’t talk to my assistants about substitutions every single timeout?
The reporter replied: “No, I just think there’s a lot of coaches who lean on their assistants in those situations.”
“As do I,” Redick said. “Every single time. That’s a weird assumption.”
Redick then sat the mic on the table and ended the press conference. Read Jeff Zillgitt’s full story here.
Timberwolves lineup for tonight: Starters for Game 5
Lakers lineup for tonight: Starters for Game 5
Lakers vs. Timberwolves Game 5 schedule
Game 5 of the NBA playoff series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 30.
How to watch Lakers vs. Timberwolves: Time, TV, streaming info
- Time: 10 p.m. ET
- TV: TNT
- Stream: Fubo
- Location: Crypto.com Arena (Los Angeles)
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