The Los Angeles Lakers are on the brink of disaster following their 116-113 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in front of 19,289 fans at the Target Center in Game 4 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs. The Wolves have a 3-1 lead in the series before Game 5 in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
The Lakers made a gamble to send Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks at the trade deadline so they could add Luka Doncic. Doncic struggled with an illness in Game 3 that played a key role in the Lakers’ loss.
Doncic played much better on Sunday, finishing with 38 points, two assists, and one rebound. He was outscored by Anthony Edwards, who put up 43 points for the Wolves.
Luka Doncic had an unfortunate moment
Doncic had an unfortunate moment in the final minute of the game when he fell to the floor and had to call a timeout with 10.1 seconds remaining and the Lakers trailing 114-113. Doncic fell over Jaden McDaniels’ feet, and Los Angeles head coach JJ Redick felt his star point guard was fouled on the play.
Appears to me that Luka just stepped on McDaniels foot, not a trip. Good no call in my opinion. pic.twitter.com/WKCfhr7y52
— Noel Thompson (@N0ELTHOMPSON) April 27, 2025
Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick believed Doncic was fouled
Following the game, Reddick told reporters he believed Doncic was tripped by McDaniels and should have had a chance to give the Lakers a lead with a pair of free throws. He made a nasty allegation the trip was “blatant.”
“Luka got tripped,” Redick said. “That was a blatant trip. He doesn’t just fall on his own. We watched it. He got tripped. We should have been at the free throw line. He got fouled.”
JJ: "Luka got tripped. That was a blatant trip. He doesn't just fall on his own. We should have been at the free throw line. He got fouled" pic.twitter.com/gIzqtv32fs
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) April 27, 2025
The refs didn’t call it, and the Lakers were unable to complete an inbounds pass from LeBron James to Doncic after the timeout. Following a pair of Edwards free throws at the other end, the Lakers missed their final opportunity to tie the game and the series.
Redick wasn’t the only coach who called out the refs on Sunday. Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff felt the Pistons were fouled on their final shot attempt.
In the postseason, the NBA needs to be able to review more of these critical plays.
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