It felt like déjà vu: once more, LeBron James orchestrated a masterful first half. Luka Doncic, giving the Wolves nightmares with every pull-up. And the Lakers? They were throwing haymakers. Up by double digits after a 14-0 third-quarter blitz that had the Target Center rattling. But when it mattered most, in the chaos of clutch time, everything crumbled. No knockout blow. No fourth-quarter magic—just the same old Lakers script replayed. Unfortunate for JJ Redick.
Anthony Edwards was electric. Julius Randle had the hot hand early. Jaden McDaniels made winning plays. But behind the dazzling stats and clutch shots, there was something much simpler at play. Minnesota looked alive. Energized. Deep. And the Lakers? For all their firepower, they looked gassed; legs gone, minds foggy, decisions messy. It wasn’t about effort anymore. It was about exhaustion.
That brings us to the cold truth behind LA’s unraveling. On the latest episode of The Old Man and the Three, JJ Redick didn’t sugarcoat anything. In a blunt YouTube breakdown, he warned, “You normally don’t see it as prevalently in the first round, but the Lakers; LeBron, he’s the oldest player in the league, Luka’s got a lot of mileage; that wears on you.”
Sitting beside him, Trey Murphy, now suiting up for the Pelicans, backed Redick up and threw praise at Minnesota’s coaching. “Shoutout to Chris Finch, bro,” Murphy said. “That was elite coaching. And then their depth, man; they go 9, 10 deep. That’s really catching up with the Lakers right now.” On air, Redick’s blunt autopsy felt less like chatter, more like a surgical report. Called by two guys who’ve been there, seen it, and know what fading legs really look like.
Feb 19, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and guard Luka Doncic (77) during the second quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images
And the numbers back it up. LeBron played 46 minutes in Game 4 at age 40. The Lakers were outscored 32-19 in the final quarter. Meanwhile, Minnesota’s bench brought relentless energy, as Naz Reid remained perfect in the fourth quarters of the series, 9-of-9 shooting. The Wolves hammered the glass, grabbing 18 offensive boards, including 9 in just the first quarter. Coach Finch’s offense, once clunky and chaotic, now hums with rhythm and purpose. “They really look like they have just hit their stride at the perfect time,” said Redick, before giving props where they were due: “Gotta give credit to Coach Finch… he’s really putting those guys in the right spots to succeed.”
The loss didn’t just sting. It left scars. What began as a hopeful swing at redemption turned into a reminder that playoff basketball isn’t just about talent, it’s about legs, lungs, and late-game poise. The Lakers looked like they belonged for three quarters, but in the fourth, they looked like they didn’t have much left to give. LeBron’s minutes are heroic but unsustainable. Luka’s bursts come with burnout. And while Minnesota is rising with rhythm and rest, LA is breaking down under pressure. It’s not just the system or rotations anymore; it’s the individuals. And now, with four games in the rearview, one Lakers star’s performance is coming under the microscope.
Looking away from the usual suspects, Austin Reaves’ four games come under the microscope
By Game 4, the Lakers needed Austin Reaves to ignite their offense—yet he’s been stuck in neutral. Across four games, Reaves is averaging 17.3 points on 42.4% shooting and just 35.1% from three-point range, down from his 37.7% clip in the regular season
Sunday’s 116-113 loss, Reaves poured in 17 points—going 6-for-14 from the field—while also hauling in seven rebounds, dishing four assists, blocking two shots and racking up a steal in 35 minutes played. His struggles surface glaringly in late-game scenarios: in the fourth quarters of Games 3 and 4, Reaves combined for just 8 points on 3-for-12 shooting, as L.A. was outscored 32-19 in the final frame of Game 4 alone. Meanwhile, Minnesota’s benches—led by Naz Reid and Brandon Clarke—delivered relentless energy, outpacing Reaves in plus/minus and second-chance opportunities
Beyond the box score, Reaves’ usage rate dips below 23% in Games 3–4, limiting his chances as defenses zero in on L.A.’s isolation schemes. JJ Redick’s decision to run a “death lineup” with the same five starters for entire halves has left Reaves gassed, compromising his shooting mechanics late in shot clocks.
Contrast that with Anthony Edwards, who erupted for 43 points on 17-for-26 shooting in Game 4, and the gap becomes unmistakable. If the Lakers are to force a Game 6, Reaves must rediscover the rhythm that powered his 20.2 PPG regular season. Anything less, and L.A.’s stay in these playoffs will end without a single fourth-quarter comeback to its name.
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