Lakers Get big edge over Warriors 

“It’s because of Lonnie Walker that we won this game,” said James. “He’s a true professional. I told him to stay with it because we will need you one day and he was ready when his time came.”  

Walker, who had become a bit-part player over the second half of the season and barely played in the first round of the playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies, has been thrust back into the rotation against the Warriors to great effect. 

By Earl Heath, Contributing Sports Writer 

After opening the series with a big win in San Francisco the Los Angeles Laker took control of the Western conference semifinals with a 104-101 win at Crypto.com Arena Monday night.

The win puts the Lakers up 3-1 in the western conference semifinals. 

LeBron James led the way for the Lakers with 27 points, nine rebounds and six assists, but it was an unlikely hero in Lonnie Walker IV who scored 15 points in the fourth quarter to help complete a late comeback, leaving LA one win away from the Western Conference Finals. 

“It’s because of Lonnie Walker that we won this game,” said James. “He’s a true professional. I told him to stay with it because we will need you one day and he was ready when his time came.”  

Walker, who had become a bit-part player over the second half of the season and barely played in the first round of the playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies, has been thrust back into the rotation against the Warriors to great effect. 

The 24-year-old added: “I’m a scorer mentality first. I’ve got a lot of confidence in myself. I know what I’m capable of, and after a lot of sacrifice and a lot of time in the gym, the fruition finally came today.” 

A sparkling display from Warriors star Steph Curry – who finished with a triple-double of 31 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds – had Golden State in a good position to level the series, but a costly turnover from the two-time NBA MVP as the team searched for a game-tying shot in the final seconds left the reigning champions one loss from elimination. 

Through a combination of their customary quick passing and a change to the starting line-up – Gary Payton II was thrust into the starting five and scored a season-high 15 points – the Warriors had built up a 12-point lead late in the third quarter. 

But Golden State struggled for offense in the final period scoring just 17 points, with Curry accounting for 10 of those as the Lakers roared back behind Walker’s late scoring as his 15 nearly equaled all of the Warriors for the frame. 

Anthony Davis finished with 23 points and 15 boards. 

The series returns to the Bay Area for Game 5 this week. (At Press Time)