Thanks to an unexpected late-game surge by Lonnie Walker IV, the Los Angeles Lakers took a convincing 3-1 series lead against the Golden State Warriors.
The 24-year-old wing managed to score 15 points (6-9 FG, 1-3 3P, 2-2 FT) in the fourth quarter during the victory in Los Angeles. This performance marked the first time a Lakers reserve notched at least 15 points during the fourth quarter of a postseason game since Kobe Bryant did as much in 1997.
Walker, who was selected in the first round of the 2018 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs and signed with Los Angeles this past offseason, actually achieved this impressive feat exactly 26 years after Bryant.
Lonnie Walker IV is the first Laker to score 15+ points off the bench in the 4th of a Playoff game since Kobe Bryant…
May 8, 1997: Kobe with 17 PTS off the bench vs. Jazz
May 8, 2023: Lonnie with 15 PTS off the bench vs. WarriorsEXACTLY 26 years ago. 🤯
(via @NBAHistory) pic.twitter.com/AV3bvllvY6— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 9, 2023
According to Stathead, the only other examples of a Lakers reserve scoring more than 12 points in any quarter of a playoff game were both recorded by Bryant as well.
This game could hold some personal significance for Walker, too. Before he ever even played for the Lakers, while in San Antonio on the Spurs, Walker honored Bryant with purple and gold shoes.
Walker signed with Los Angeles on a one-year contract, and after what he showed he could do last night despite not playing in the rotation for much of the season, he deserves serious consideration for a longer deal.
