Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers suffered a crushing defeat in Sport 4 in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves. One controversial play that stood out concerned Wolves ahead Jaden McDaniels, and JJ Redick says it helped determine the sport.
With about 35.4 seconds remaining within the recreation, Doncic fell to the bottom whereas being defended by McDaniels within the backcourt, however close to the half-court line. With solely two seconds remaining to get the ball previous half-court, the Lakers referred to as one in every of their two timeouts to offer them an opportunity to regroup. Solely they did not.
LeBron James turned it over on the inbounds cross, and the Wolves held on to win Sport 4 and take a 3-1 sequence lead.
NBA confirms Lakers’ JJ Redick, Luka Doncic’s claims of essential missed foul name on Jaden McDaniels
After Sport 4, Lakers head coach JJ Redick instantly made word of the truth that the officers missed a foul by McDaniels for tripping Doncic whereas he was dribbling up the courtroom. The replays of the incident confirmed an apparent journey that went uncalled.
“Luka bought tripped,” Redick informed reporters following the Sport 4 loss. “That was a blatant journey. He would not simply fall on his personal. We should always have been on the free-throw line. He bought fouled.”
Lakers coach JJ Redick says the refs missed a ‘blatant journey’ down the stretch by Jaden McDaniels on Luka Doncic 😳
“Luka bought tripped. That was a blatant journey. He would not simply fall on his personal. We should always have been on the free throw line. He bought fouled.”
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 27, 2025
Based on the NBA’s Final 2 Minute Report, Redick was certainly appropriate.
Luka Doncic was tripped by Jaden McDaniels and will’ve been awarded two free throws because of the Lakers being within the bonus, per the report. The Lakers had been down one level at that time, so two free throws would’ve given them the lead.
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“McDaniels (MIN) steps ahead into Doncic’s (LAL) path, initiating unlawful foot contact that causes him to lose his steadiness,” the report posted Monday afternoon said.
With the loss, the Los Angeles Lakers at the moment are dealing with elimination, down 3-1 within the sequence as they head again dwelling for Sport 5. Based on the historical past books, groups that lead a best-of-seven sequence 3-1 go on to win the sequence 95.5% of the time (275-13). Clearly the chances aren’t within the Lakers’ favor, however they’ve performed effectively in nearly each quarter aside from the fourth quarters.
The OC Register’s Khobi Worth reported after Sport 4 that the Lakers have outscored the Timberwolves within the first quarters, 120-96, and within the third quarters, 115-112.
Sadly, the Timberwolves have outscored the Lakers in second quarters, 121-102, and are destroying them in fourth quarters, 105-69.
Sport 5 is ready to tip off at Wednesday night time at 7PM PST on TNT.