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The legend of the Los Angeles Lakers, Magic Johnson, criticized the game’s fourth quarter of the team when they were 3-1 in their playoff series of the first round against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Lakers coach JJ Redick apparently was inspired by the 14-0 race to start the third quarter and kept the alignment, LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and Dorian Finney-Smith, on the floor for the rest of the game.
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Los Angeles Lakers chief coach JJ Redick reacts to his team that loses the advantage to the Minnesota Timberwolves during the NBA playoffs in Target Center in Minneapolis on April 27, 2025. (Matt Blewett-Imagn images)
Fatigue seemed to settle at the end of the game. Doncic was overcoming a stomach disease while he and James played 46 minutes each. James remained without score in the last quarter. The Lakers could not keep the T’wolves at the last quarter despite having an advantage.
Minnesota won the game, 116-113. They have surpassed the Lakers 105-69 in the fourth quarter during the series.
Johnson expressed his dismay in X.
“I don’t know if it is intelligent to play LeBron and Luka throughout the second half after just having a rest day between games 3 and 4. When we needed LeBron to take care of the fourth quarter, he couldn’t, he scored 0 points in the room,” Johnson wrote.
“I am sick with my stomach that the Lakers lost this game after controlling most of the second half.”
Magic Johnson observes the Clemson Tigers and the Kansas Jayhawks in the semifinals of the NCAA tournament at the Centurylink Center in Omaha, Nebraska, March 23, 2018. (Kyle Terada-USA Today Sports)
LeBron questions to fly after the defeat of the Lakers against the wolves: “That game happens all the time”
Redick explained that his alignment decision in the second was not something that was planned.
“I asked them at the beginning of the fourth quarter [how they were doing] And I told them we had two additional waiting times, “said Redick, through ESPN.” “If you need a submarine, let us know.” Those guys gave a lot. “
Doncic said fatigue should not have been a factor in this situation of the season.
“Fatigue should not play any role in this,” Doncic added. “I played many minutes, but that shouldn’t play a role. I think they simply run better in the offensive wing during the last minutes.”
Los Angeles Lakers striker, LeBron James, reacts to a repetition confirming that he committed a lack of the Minnesota Timberwolves guard, Anthony Edwards, during the NBA playoffs in Target Center in Minneapolis, on April 27, 2025. (Matt Blewett-Imagn images)
Game 5 is scheduled for Wednesday in Los Angeles.
