Luka Doncic is gearing up for a critical Game 5 as the Los Angeles Lakers face elimination against the Minnesota Timberwolves. After a tough Game 4 loss, Doncic is focused on bouncing back and keeping the team’s playoff hopes alive.
“We’ve got to treat it like a Game 7. You lose, you go home,” Doncic said, reflecting on the stakes for his team. “We can’t be looking at the future; we’ve got to focus on this game.”
The Lakers were on the verge of tying the series in Game 4, but a late-game collapse handed Minnesota a 116-113 victory, giving the Timberwolves a commanding 3-1 lead. While Doncic led the Lakers with 38 points, his team faltered in the final moments, with Austin Reaves missing a potential game-tying three-pointer as time expired.
Looking ahead to Game 5, Doncic emphasized the importance of improving in the fourth quarter. “We’ve got to make more shots. It’s easy,” he said. “We got good looks, we just didn’t make them.”
Doncic also reflected on the team’s third-quarter success in Game 4, which featured a strong offensive push. “That gives me confidence for the next game,” he said, acknowledging the team’s potential when they’re clicking on all cylinders.
With the Lakers’ season on the line, Doncic knows that his team must stay focused and disciplined, especially on defense. The Timberwolves have proven to be a formidable opponent, with Anthony Edwards dominating the series and Minnesota’s depth presenting challenges. “We’ve got to fly around,” Doncic explained, stressing the need for the Lakers to defend against Minnesota’s sharpshooters.
Despite the high pressure, Doncic remains confident. “We’re ready for it,” he said. “We could have won some games. Little mistakes cost us, but there’s confidence we can win.”
