The Lakers put themselves one step closer to the Western Conference Finals after edging out the Warriors in Game 4 on Monday night.
Lakers guard Lonnie Walker IV came off the bench to score all 15 of his points in the final frame, giving his team a huge offensive boost. He nearly outscored the Warriors (17) by himself over the final 12 minutes.
MORE: Walker was ready for his big moment in Game 4
"For him to be as young as he is, for him to have that professionalism, come out, stay ready when his number is called, we don't win this game without Lonnie Walker tonight," Lakers star LeBron James told TNT's Chris Haynes.
"We don't win that game without Lonnie Walker tonight. That's for sure." pic.twitter.com/uMTBrxzG1z
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) May 9, 2023
Walker is the first Laker to have 15 or more points off the bench in the fourth quarter of a playoff game since Kobe Bryant, who scored 17 points against the Jazz on May 8, 1997.
"I got a lot of confidence in myself," Walker said. "I know my value. I know what I'm capable of doing."
"I know my value, I know what I'm capable of doing..."
— NBA (@NBA) May 9, 2023
Lonnie Walker IV talks about his mentality as a scorer after his 15-point 4th quarter helped lead the Lakers to victory in Game 4.#NBAPlayoffs presented by @GooglePixel_US pic.twitter.com/WgbkMh9Cbh
Walker's heroics drew plenty of praise from his teammates and other members of the NBA community.
NBA Twitter reacts to Lonnie Walker's Game 4 performance vs. Warriors
15 POINTS IN THE 4TH QUARTER?!
— Dennis Schröder (@DS17_FG) May 9, 2023
THAT’S TUFF! 💯🔥 @lonniewalker_4
@lonniewalker_4 🔥🔥🔥 #GameChanger
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) May 9, 2023
I think I was calling for a guy?? Lol Lonnie Walker stepped up big and did not disappoint! The hardest thing to do is to close a team out like the World Champion Golden State Warriors.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 9, 2023
Shoutout Lonnie Walker‼️
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) May 9, 2023
Lonnie MF Walker better be TRENDING on this damn app tonight!!! Carry the hell on…
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) May 9, 2023
I hoop like Lonnie Walker iv for real
— Evan Turner (@thekidet) May 9, 2023
It is always an assassin waiting on the bench to decide a playoff game and Lonnie Walker showed up. #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/v9XCQARuUE
— Eddie A Johnson (@Jumpshot8) May 9, 2023
“If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready!” Salute Lonnie Walker
— Pooh JETer (@PoohJeter) May 9, 2023
