NBA playoffs: LeBron James, Luka Doncic Stumble in Crunch Time as Lakers Face Elimination
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Luka Doncic and LeBron James faltered in teh fourth quarter of Game 4, contributing to the Los angeles Lakers’ 116-113 loss to the Minnesota timberwolves. The Lakers now face a 3-1 deficit in the best-of-seven series.
Doncic and James’ Late-Game Struggles
Doncic scored an remarkable 38 points but managed only one successful field goal out of six attempts in the final quarter. james, who is 40 years old, was held scoreless in the fourth quarter.
Austin reaves took the Lakers’ last shot, a 3-pointer that could have tied the game, but missed.
heavy Minutes for Lakers’ Stars Under Scrutiny
Both James and Doncic played 46 minutes each.
Lakers coach J.J.Redick kept his starting five on the court for the entire second half, a continuous 24-minute stretch. According to Stats-Guru Keerthika Uthayakumar,this is the first time this has happened in the NBA playoffs.
“This is the playoffs – fatigue shouldn’t matter here,” Doncic said.
Celtics Dominate Late, Push LeBron and Lakers to Brink of Elimination
BOSTON (AP) — The boston Celtics seized a commanding 3-1 lead in their playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers with aGame 4 victory monday night, putting LeBron James and his team on the cusp of elimination. Jayson Tatum’s stellar performance lead the charge as Boston seeks to advance in the NBA playoffs.
LeBron James on Lakers’ Loss: ‘Offense Just Better in the Final Minutes’
LeBron James acknowledged the Celtics’ superior offensive execution in the game’s critical moments. Despite the loss,James dismissed fatigue as a factor,emphasizing the Lakers’ missed opportunities. “We had some really good looks,” James stated. “I don’t think fatigue had anything to do with it. We just missed some shots that we know we can make. We got to the spots we wanted to get to. We just weren’t able to convert.”
Orlando Magic, Featuring Franz Wagner, Face Elimination
Orlando, Fla. — german basketball world champion Franz Wagner and the Orlando Magic are on the verge of playoff elimination after losing Game 4 against the defending champion Boston Celtics. The Celtics now lead the best-of-seven series 3-1.
The Magic face a potential series-ending Game 5 in Boston. Wagner delivered a strong performance, contributing 24 points, six rebounds, and seven assists.Only Paolo Banchero, with 31 points, scored more for Orlando.Jayson Tatum was the star for Boston, recording 37 points and 14 rebounds.
Moritz Wagner is sidelined for the remainder of the season due to a torn ACL, while Tristan da Silva did not see any playing time.
What strategic reasoning might have led Lakers coach J.J. Redick to keep the starting five on the court for the entire second half of Game 4, and what is meaningful about this decision?
NBA Playoffs: Crunch Time Struggles for James, Doncic, and Wagner
This article recaps key moments from recent NBA playoff games, focusing on the struggles of LeBron James and Luka Doncic in crucial moments, and the elimination threat facing Franz Wagner’s Orlando Magic.We’ll delve into the details, analyze the outcomes, and explore the implications for these teams’ playoff journeys.
Q&A: Unpacking the Playoff Drama
Q: What happened in the Lakers vs.Timberwolves game?
The Los Angeles Lakers, featuring lebron James and Luka Doncic, lost Game 4 to the Minnesota Timberwolves with a score of 116-113. The Lakers now face a 3-1 deficit in the series. Both James and Doncic struggled in the fourth quarter. Doncic scored 38 points but had only one accomplished field goal in the final quarter, while James was held scoreless in the fourth.
Q: How did LeBron James perform in the game, and what did he say about the loss?
LeBron James, at 40 years old, struggled in the fourth quarter, failing to score any points. He acknowledged the Celtics’ superior offensive execution in the game’s critical moments but dismissed fatigue as a factor, emphasizing missed opportunities. He stated they had “good looks” and just missed shots. [[1](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/playoffs/2025/04/26/lebron-james-points-for-40-year-old-nba-playoff-game/83288415007/)]
Q: Why is the coach’s decision to keep the starting five on the court for the entire second half noteworthy?
Lakers coach J.J.Redick kept his starting five on the court for the entire second half, a 24-minute stretch. According to Stats-Guru Keerthika Uthayakumar, this is the first time this has happened in the NBA playoffs.
Q: What is the situation for the Orlando magic?
The orlando Magic, featuring Franz Wagner, are on the verge of playoff elimination after losing Game 4 against the Boston Celtics.The Celtics now led the series 3-1.
Q: Who were the key performers in the Celtics vs. Lakers game?
jayson Tatum led the Celtics with a stellar performance, recording 37 points and 14 rebounds.
Q: How old is LeBron James?
LeBron James is 40 years old. [[1](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/playoffs/2025/04/26/lebron-james-points-for-40-year-old-nba-playoff-game/83288415007/)]
Q: Who are some other NBA players who have played beyond the age of 40?
Robert Parish played in the NBA until he was 43 years, 254 days old. [[1](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/playoffs/2025/04/26/lebron-james-points-for-40-year-old-nba-playoff-game/83288415007/)]
Stay tuned as the playoffs continue to deliver thrilling matchups and unexpected outcomes!
