The loss gives the Timberwolves a commanding 3-1 series lead, putting the Lakers on the brink of elimination. What makes this defeat particularly stinging is how it unfolded: the Lakers squandered a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter, with LeBron James and key teammates going ice-cold at the worst possible moment.
The Lakers appeared to have the game in hand entering the final frame, leading 94-84 after a strong third quarter. LeBron James, who had been a force earlier in the game, finished with 27 points, eight rebounds, and four assists—but none of those points came in the fourth quarter. James, at 40 years old, took only three shots in the final period, missing all of them, including a critical three-pointer. He also committed three turnovers, two in the final two minutes, and picked up a personal foul on Anthony Edwards that helped seal the Timberwolves’ late surge.
Social media posts on X reflected the frustration of fans, with many pointing to LeBron’s scoreless fourth quarter and late-game miscues as a major factor in the collapse.
Lakers Collapse
LeBron wasn’t the only Laker who froze under pressure. Austin Reaves, who had been a reliable secondary scorer with 14 points through three quarters, managed just two points in the fourth and missed a potential game-tying three-pointer at the buzzer, the ball rimming out from the corner. Luka Dončić, despite battling a stomach issue throughout the series, contributed 13 points and eight assists but struggled with efficiency, shooting 5-for-14 and turning the ball over twice in the final stretch.
The Lakers’ offense, which had been humming earlier, stalled completely, scoring just 10 points in the fourth quarter while being outscored 32-10 by the Timberwolves.
Timberwolves Clutch When it mattered
Minnesota, on the other hand, found their rhythm when it mattered most. Anthony Edwards, the Timberwolves’ young star, took over late, finishing with 31 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. Edwards was relentless, scoring 12 points in the fourth quarter alone, including a dagger three-pointer with 2:14 remaining that gave Minnesota a 108-102 lead.
Jaden McDaniels added 28 points, continuing his stellar series, while Julius Randle chipped in 20 points and eight rebounds. The Timberwolves closed the game on a 15-2 run over the final 4:37, capitalizing on the Lakers’ inability to execute on either end of the floor.
The Lakers’ collapse wasn’t just about offensive struggles—their defense disintegrated as well. Minnesota shot 60% from the field in the fourth quarter, exploiting tired Lakers defenders who had been on the floor for extended minutes. Coach JJ Redick’s decision to play his starters, including LeBron, for the entire second half drew scrutiny after the game. LeBron logged 42 minutes, and signs of fatigue were evident as he struggled to keep up with Edwards’ explosive drives.
LeBron James lover excuses
Posts on X criticized Redick’s game management, with some fans pointing out that a short rest for LeBron at the start of the fourth could have preserved his energy for the crucial closing moments.“We had control, and we let it slip,” Redick said in the post-game press conference. “We’ve got to be better at managing those situations, and that starts with me. But the players have to execute, and we didn’t tonight.” When asked about his scoreless fourth quarter, LeBron took accountability but pointed to the team’s collective failure. “I’ve got to be better, no question. But we all froze out there. We stopped moving the ball, stopped attacking. That’s on all of us.”
Minnesota’s Defense came to life late
The Timberwolves’ defensive adjustments also played a role in the Lakers’ meltdown. Minnesota’s strategy of switching to a zone defense in the fourth quarter disrupted the Lakers’ offensive flow, forcing them into taking contested jumpers rather than attacking the paint. Edwards, McDaniels, and Rudy Gobert combined for four blocks and three steals in the final period, stifling any chance of a Lakers comeback.This loss raises serious questions about the Lakers’ ability to bounce back in a series that now feels out of reach. LeBron, Dončić, and Reaves—arguably the team’s three most important players—froze at the worst possible time, and their inability to deliver in the clutch allowed the Timberwolves to seize control. With Game 5 back in Los Angeles, the Lakers face a must-win situation, but their late-game execution and stamina will need to improve drastically if they hope to extend the series.
For now, the Timberwolves are one win away from the second round, and the Lakers are left searching for answers after a fourth-quarter freeze that may have cost them their season.analyze Timberwolves’ strategycompare playoff performancesmore dramatic tone
