Lonnie Walker IV’s epic fourth quarter performance in Game 4 against the Warriors on Monday night has put the Lakers on the cusp of the Western Conference finals.
Los Angeles is now up 3–1 in its series against the defending NBA champions thanks to Walker’s heroics in Game 4. Walker, who had been largely out of the playoff rotation, was called upon by coach Darvin Ham to give the Lakers a boost off the bench. Walker rewarded the decision by scoring all 15 of his points in the fourth quarter, becoming the first Lakers player to accomplish that feat in a playoff game since Kobe Bryant 26 years ago.
Walker reacted to his epic performance on Twitter after the game.
“Candle stay lit,” he tweeted with four pictures of him from the victory.
Candle stay lit 🔥 pic.twitter.com/BnMMzo2bmf
— Lonnie Walker IV (@lonniewalker_4) May 9, 2023
Walker elaborated on the performance a bit more with reporters after the game.
“The greatest feeling you can ever imagine,” he said when asked about his emotions. “As a kid, this is something I’ve been dreaming of doing. Not just being a part of the playoffs, but impacting it, let alone winning in the playoffs. I’m truly proud of myself. It really shows my capabilities. Just my mental fortitude. I think the hardest thing of being able to play a lot and then not playing at all is sticking with it.”
LeBron James was succinct when asked by reporters what Walker’s performance meant to the Lakers’ victory on Monday.
“The game ball definitely goes to him,” James said. “We don’t win without him.”
The Lakers will now head on the road to San Francisco for Game 5 on Wednesday with a chance to knock the defending champion Warriors out of the playoffs and move on to the Western Conference finals.
