Lonnie Walker IV played almost as many minutes in the Lakers' Game 3 win over the Warriors as he did in the previous eight postseason games combined.
D’Angelo Russell, who had 21 points in Game 3, realized after the trade deadline that the Lakers ‘got some bodies here that gets us over the hump.’“And he was ready,” Ham said of Walker. “He’s been out here kicking butt in the ‘stay ready’ [group] and really being a pro that he is. Going hard in the weight room, getting his individual workouts, group workouts and he was a starter for us at one point so my confidence in him never wavered.
Walker was solid in his role, going four for six from the field, two for four from three-point range, making both of his free throws, blocking a shot and collecting two steals.It’ll take more of that from Walker and the Lakers on Monday knowing that the Warriors are 33-11 in games following a playoff loss dating to 2013.“It wasn’t as hard of a transition as it seemed to be just because I’ve been in the gym night in and night out,” Walker said.
Walker started 32 games for the Lakers this season. In those starts, he averaged 14.7 points in 29.8 minutes per game and shot 45.5% from the field, 38.9% from three-point range.When he returned, his role had diminished because of the improved play that eventually made Austin Reaves a starter. Then came the acquisition of D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, Malik Beasley and Rui Hachimura before the trade deadline.“Just mental fortitude, man,” he said.
“So, day to day, giving it the best I can and understanding once my time is called, once my number is called, just being ready. Can’t make no excuses. At the end of the day, no one is going to feel bad for you. So, you got to go out there and play.”
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