Los Angeles Forfeits Late Game as Garbage Time Takes Over

Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick faced intense scrutiny after a controversial second-half strategy in Game 4 of the NBA first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday, April 26, 2026. The Lakers fell 116-113, placing them on the brink of elimination with a 3-1 series deficit.

Redick’s Gamble Backfires

Redick opted to play the same five players—LeBron James, Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Rui Hachimura—for the entire second half. The decision followed a strong first half where the Lakers built a lead, but fatigue appeared to set in as the game progressed. Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards capitalized, scoring 43 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter, to lead the Timberwolves to victory.

Postgame, Redick defended his choice, stating it was not premeditated but rather a response to the team’s performance. “We certainly played well enough to win, and we gave the effort to win,” he said. “It’s not a planned thing to play five guys [for] an entire second half. [I] asked them at the beginning of the fourth quarter, told them we had two extra timeouts, if you need a sub let us know. Those guys gave a lot.”

When questioned about the risk of overworking his players, Redick emphasized trust in their judgment. “Once you’ve kind of made that decision and they all are in, you’ve just gotta trust them,” he added.

Reactions and Consequences

The Lakers opened the second half with a 14-0 run, momentarily silencing the Minnesota crowd. However, the Timberwolves regrouped, with Edwards and Naz Reid leading a late surge. Reid’s three-pointer with four minutes remaining cut the Lakers’ lead to two points after they had led by as many as 12 in the third quarter.

Redick’s strategy drew sharp criticism from analysts and fans, many of whom questioned the wisdom of not rotating players in a high-stakes playoff game. The Lakers’ fatigue was evident in the fourth quarter, as Minnesota outscored them 33-26 to secure the win.

Series Implications

With the loss, the Lakers now face elimination in Game 5. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, have seized control of the series, needing just one more win to advance. The Lakers’ playoff hopes hinge on their ability to regroup and respond in the next game, scheduled for Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena.

As the series intensifies, Redick’s coaching decisions will remain under the microscope, particularly if the Lakers fail to mount a comeback.