Picture Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

“It’s first to four wins” – ‘Optimistic’ Luka Doncic Backs Lakers to Win the Playoff Series against Wolves After Going 3-1 Down

Luka Doncic would look to change the fortune for the Lakers in the remaining three games.

Picture Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a 116-113 loss in Game 4 against the Timberwolves and found themselves going 3-1 down in the first round playoff series. One defeat and the Lakers will be eliminated from the NBA playoffs. As the Lakers sitting on the edge of the elimination, Luka Doncic is optimistic to make a comeback and win the remaining three games.

“It’s definitely disappointing, but we haven’t lost nothing yet,” Doncic said. “It’s first to four wins. We just got to still believe.”

Luka on going back to LA down 3-1:

"It's definitely disappointing, but we haven't lost anything yet. First to 4 wins and we just gotta still believe." pic.twitter.com/CTHyh4ShaI
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) April 27, 2025

The Timberwolves overcame a 10-point deficit through a fourth-quarter outburst. Minnesota have outscored the Lakers in each fourth quarter in this series and the scoring margin in this period is 105-69. In Game 4, the Wolves outscored the Lakers 32-19 and take a decisive 3-1 lead in the series.

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

Luka Doncic Denies Fatigue Issue After JJ Redick Makes No Substitution in Second Half

The fatigue was also a major issue for the Lakers starters including Luka Doncic, who went 1-6 from the field in the final quarter. JJ Redick didn’t make a single substitute in the second half and it happened for the first time in 25 years of the NBA history when all five starters played through out the second half.

I dont know if it smart to play LeBron and Luka the entire second half after only having one day of rest between Games 3 and 4. When we needed LeBron to take over in the fourth quarter he couldn’t – he scored 0 points in the fourth.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 27, 2025

“This is the playoffs, fatigue shouldn’t play any role in this,” Doncic replied when he was asked about fatigue during the game. “Played a lot of minutes, but that shouldn’t play a role. I think they just executed better on the offensive end during the last minutes.

Similar story happened in Game 3 when the Wolves closed out the final quarter on a 13-1 run. In Sunday’s matchup, Doncic, LeBron, Reaves, Finney-Smith, and Hachimura played the entire second half. Experts raised questions on JJ Redick’s strategy after halftime.

In final quarter, Luka Doncic was the leading scorer for the Lakers with seven points. He finished with 38 points on 13-of-28 shooting. LeBron James, who dropped 143rd playoff double-double, went pointless. It was a complete failure for the Lakers after taking a 84-74 lead after three quarters.

Luka Doncic would look to change the fortune for the Lakers in the remaining three games. The five-time All-Star is averaging 30.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game in the playoffs. He takes upcoming matchups as a new challenge and find extra motivation to win remaining three.

“Yeah, it’s a fun challenge,” Doncic continued. “And we should have extra motivation to win these next three games. It’s going to be very hard, every possession is going to matter, and we’re going to go 100% no matter what.”

Also Read: Shaquille O’Neal Recalls Endearing MVP Moment With Kobe Bryant, Reveals Why Black Mamba Thanked Him

LeBron James has came across this situation during his long playoff career and is 1-4 when trailing 1-3 in the series. The only instance came when the veteran guard won the 2016 NBA Finals. Lakers will now head to Los Angeles for Game 5 on Wednesday at 10 PM ET.

Picture Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

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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.