The LA Lakers endured a 113-116 loss in Game 4 of their first round playoff matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Despite having almost a ten point lead entering the fourth quarter, the LA Lakers failed to make their clutch shots and this resulted in the Minnesota Timberwolves taking a 3-1 lead in the series.
LeBron James and Luka Doncic once again had big games as the duo combined to score 65 points for the Purple and Gold.
However, their efforts were undone by a fiery Anthony Edwards, who was incredible down the stretch and led Timberwolves to a win at home.
Austin Reaves went scoreless in the first half, but stepped up with 17 points to finish the game.
He also had the chance to tie the game on the final possession, but missed the shot, which meant the Lakers would lose out Game 4.
This was another indication of how poor Reaves has been in the playoffs as his contributions have showed up in the stat sheet, but he has just failed to make any impact on the team as a whole.
Austin Reaves’ three-point shooting has dropped for the LA Lakers
Austin Reaves came into the postseason, shooting 37.7% from three-point range, which is the second best for him in his career.
More NBA News
However, he has shot only 32% from beyond the arc in the playoffs and is also taking eight three-point attempts per game.
While shooting slump is something natural, Reaves has also turned the ball over an awful lot in the playoffs, averaging 2.3 turnovers in the four games so far.
JJ Redick has been very critical of the Lakers conceding a lot of turnovers and this problem also seems to stay as they had ten in Game 4.
With Reaves going scoreless in the first half, the entire Lakers offense came from the superstar duo of Doncic and James, who scored 43 of the team’s first 58 points.
The bench had no impact on the game whatsoever as they scored only six points.
With others contributing so little, the Lakers will find it tough to win, which is why they need Reaves to step up and help out their star duo.
Austin Reaves’ defense has been poor all series for the LA Lakers
Aside from not being great on the offensive end of the floor, Reaves has also been poor defensively and that was once again on display in Game 4.
Timberwolves’ big Naz Reid absolutely bullied Reaves on one play and made a basket on one possession in fourth quarter.
It was a matchup horror, but that is a situation the Lakers will have to find a way to face as they do not have a viable option in the centre position to replace Jaxson Hayes and Redick even spoke about after their loss in Game 3.
Almost every guard on the Timberwolves was able to easily score on the Lakers and some fault here belongs to Reaves.
Earlier the Lakers guard was used to putting up elite performances on both ends of the floor and his brilliance even propelled the Lakers to the Conference Finals.
He had a career year in the regular season and was expected to step up and be the third guy on the Lakers.
However, he has slowed down and that is what seems to be affecting them the most.
They expected to have a player in him, who can make plays on his own, but also knock down shots when needed in the playoffs.
With the series at 3-1, the Lakers still have time and Reaves could also prove himself by stepping up in the remainder of the games.
They have the players in their team that could turn things around, but if that has to happen, even the others need to step up, especially Reaves who has been one of the team’s best player.
