Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

Anthony Edwards Put Lakers on the Brink of Elimination as Timberwolves Go 3-1 After Fourth Quarter Surge

An awful fourth quarter pushed Los Angeles to the edge of elimination.

Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Timberwolves outclassed the Los Angeles Lakers in back-to-back home matchups to take a 3-1 lead in the first-round playoff series. Anthony Edwards’ 43-point performance helped Minnesota win Game 4 116-113, and elimination is now staring the Lakers in the face. An awful fourth quarter pushed Los Angeles to the edge of elimination.

Edwards also added nine rebounds and six assists on 12-of-23 shooting. Julius Randle chipped in 25 points, and McDaniels added 16 points and 11 rebounds for Minnesota, who trailed by 12 late in the third quarter. Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 38 points, his third 30-point outing in the series. LeBron James finished with 27 points and 12 rebounds while Rui Hachimura added 23.

ANT HITS THE CLUTCH FTS!
TIMEBRWOLVES GET THE STOP ON THE OTHER END!!

MINNESOTA TAKES A 3-1 SERIES LEAD 🔥 pic.twitter.com/gCzJIuTpEV
— NBA (@NBA) April 27, 2025

Also Read: From Play-In Highs to Playoff Lows: How the Memphis Grizzlies’ Season Came Crashing Down

Lakers Lose Momentum after a Third-Quarter Surge, Press a Panic Button for Playoff Series

The Timberwolves held a 61-58 lead at halftime. The Lakers opened the third quarter with a 9-0 run and flipped a three-point deficit into an eight-point lead. Minnesota scored nine straight points to cut the deficit to two points, but the Lakers’ late 14-6 run in the third helped them to gain momentum ahead of the final period.

The fourth quarter was one-way traffic, and it was fully dominated by the Wolves, who went on an 8- 0 run to take a 105-104 lead with 3:47 left in the game. The Lakers regained the crucial lead through Austin Reaves and Dorian Finney-Smith’s three-pointers with 1:29 left. Jaden McDaniels scored a dunk and a free throw to help the Wolves take a decisive lead with 39.5 seconds left. Wolves star set a playoff career-high with 11 rebounds.

Austin Reaves’ potential game-tying 3 misses at the buzzer and the Wolves win, 116-113, to go up 3-1 on the Lakers pic.twitter.com/n6VuamYKsE
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 27, 2025

Edwards extended the lead with two free throws, and Minnesota secured consecutive wins at Target Center. Edwards commanded the fourth quarter with 16 points. The Lakers had a chance to tie the game, but Reaves missed a 23-foot three-point jumper at the buzzer. Surprisingly, the 1st time in NBA playoff history, a substitution wasn’t made in a half as Lakers played with all five starters in second half.

Also Read: NBA Playoffs 2025- James Harden, Nikola Jokic Among Six Players To Receive Technical Foul After Scuffle in Clippers-Nuggets Game 4

Minnesota outrebounded Los Angeles 49-41, outscored them in the paint 48-30, outscored them in bench points 25-6 and scored 19 points of the Lakers’ 12 turnovers. LeBron James surpassed Wilt Chamberlain for the third-most double-doubles in playoff history, but he went scoreless in the fourth quarter.

The Timberwolves would be happy to go back to Los Angeles 2-all. If they drop the next game, they will have one more chance to wrap up the series in Game 6. Lakers will now enter the Crypto.com Arena for a win-or-be-eliminated Game 5 on Wednesday.

Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

Anthony Edwards

LeBron James

Los Angeles Lakers

Minnesota Timberwolves

Gulshan Sharma

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.