LOS ANGELES-- As unlikely a playoff run as this has actually been for the Lakers, somehow it makes best sense. A person who was gone if not forgotten from the rotation for the majority of the last three months reintroduced himself at the most appropriate minute, and might have stuck a dagger in the safeguarding NBA champs.

Ladies and gentlemen, Lonnie Walker IV. He had actually been a starter while the Lakers were having a hard time to get to.500 for the very first two months of the season, injured his knee right before New Year's and missed 13 games, then found himself playing fewer minutes when he did come back because of the development of Austin Reaves and after that the flurry of trades at the due date that essentially remade the roster.

And perhaps this is a message that all aspiring gamers can latch onto. You can get shoved into the background, however if you keep working and remain favorable, your time will return.

Monday night was most definitively Walker's time. He 'd played 25 solid minutes in the Lakers' blowout triumph over Golden State in Game 3 on Saturday night after Coach Darvin Ham had given him a heads-up that he would be needed.

In the very first 3 quarters in Monday's Game 4, Walker had actually played 15 minutes and not conjectured, though he 'd had one rebound, two assists and a steal so he 'd been contributing something. Then, in the 4th, all he did was conserve the video game: 15 points on 6-for-9 shooting, beginning with a 3-pointer at the very start of the period, consisting of a jumper from the left wing with 1:53 delegated provide the Lakers a 100-99 lead, and ending with two free tosses with 15 seconds delegated secure a 104-101 success and a 3-1 series lead.

" We don't win without him," LeBron James said.

And the roars of delight from the house crowd sealed it: Lonnie Walker IV is now an L.A. folk hero, at least for the hours between now and Wednesday night's Game 5 tipoff in San Francisco.

" The biggest feeling you can ever, ever imagine," Walker stated. "You know, as a kid, this is something I've been dreaming of doing-- not simply belonging of the playoffs, however affecting it."

It is hard for players who have lost playing time to stay positive. Even when they have not fallen out of favor, even when it's simply a numbers game, it's natural to feel like the coaches do not like you or someone in the front office is plotting against you or that your career is at a crossroads. The coach can inform you to keep your head up or give you words of support, however in some cases it's hard to think.

Walker believed.

" You understand, he fell out of the rotation through no fault of his own," Ham said. "But he stayed a trooper, stayed expert, remained high-spirited, favorable, and actually kept working on his game, attacking this game every day, actually remaining locked in on the info, especially throughout these playoffs.

" When your mind and your heart remains in a great place, the body follows. I've seen a ton of kids, played with them, coached them, where you know there's absolutely nothing but negative because their private circumstances aren't what they would hope them to be. And then when they do get chance unexpectedly, they come a cropper."

Alternatively, during those "remain all set" workouts and scrimmages including the men who aren't playing, Walker's interest and professionalism persuaded Ham that he would be prepared if provided the chance.

"Whatever you put out goes full circle. It's either gon na come back and slap you in the face, or come back and hug you.

Walker's role lessened because of all of those midseason trades, and the arrival of D'Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt and Malik Beasley. But those trades also created this minute, because without that makeover these Lakers would not be close to this position, with 3 opportunities if required to knock out the protecting champs.

Interestingly, when Russell talked throughout Sunday's off-day availability, he kept in mind that he had the locker next to Walker and had a chance to observe Walker's approach and mindset.

" For him to keep his spirits high and his energy high and to be as positive as he is, I believe that enabled him to be all set for that opportunity," Russell said. "To see him kind of go through what he's been through and to come out on the top with that positive image, I can't do anything however provide him flowers for that."

A large part of the factor the Lakers have actually flourished throughout these playoffs, beyond Anthony Davis' protective supremacy, is the fact that the role gamers have stepped up. Monday it was Walker's turn. Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura have had their minutes, as have Russell and Dennis Schröder.

After the victory, LeBron and A.D. pulled him aside. What were they speaking about?

" Just being a true pro," Walker stated. "Weather the storm, learn how to dance in the storm. … … It's not going to be all flowers and lollipops and good and things. There's going to be hard times. Which's simply God's supreme test to make you learn something in order to get to your goal."

It's simple to forget that Walker was the 18th player picked in the 2018 draft by the San Antonio Spurs. The former Miami Hurricane balanced 20.4 minutes and 9.4 points per video game in 4 seasons with the Spurs, and the Lakers signed him to a 1 year offer as a complimentary representative to replace Malik Monk, who carried on to Sacramento.

He bolstered his case for another contract Monday night. And the spring is still young.

jalexander@scng.com

LONNIE WALKER IV SHINES IN GAME 4!

15 points in the 4th quarter as the @Lakers protect a 3-1 series lead! pic.twitter.com/izyQzadxG8

—-- NBA (@NBA) May 9, 2023