Lakers News: How Lonnie Walker's Stay-Ready Ethos Prepared Him For Big Game 4 Moment

He knew his number would be called eventually.

Every Laker fan that had tuned in to the first half of the NBA season looked at the Lakers' bench as the postseason began and wondered why game after game, Lonnie Walker IV was getting DNP's.

It was more understandable around the trade deadline when LA had a bunch of new young talent to implement into their lineups and needed to see where they stood as far as guard depth. However, Malik Beasley clearly never found a clear role with LA as the regular season came to a close and Austin Reaves can only serve as 'Him' for so long considering he's still a sophomore in the NBA.

The Lonnie Walker IV Game. pic.twitter.com/1J9ub7VP3r

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) May 10, 2023

But finally, Darvin Ham took a look down his bench these past two games against the Golden State Warriors and called on Walker to check into the game before garbage time hit. He was the story of a back-and-forth game four win that gave the purple and gold a comfortable 3-1 series lead.

The 24-year-old guard only recorded 15 points but every single one came in a razor-close fourth quarter that could have went either way. Play after play, the ball found its way into Walker's hands and he created through a flurry of mid-range and three-point jumpers.

Lonnie Walker IV is the first Lakers bench player to score 15+ points in the fourth quarter of a playoff game since Kobe Bryant exactly 26 years ago today. pic.twitter.com/EPbinKFOLU

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) May 9, 2023

Even though a part of the NBA world was shocked to see Walker enter the fourth and take over the game like that, he wasn't in the slightest. The University of Miami product always knew he'd be ready for the big moment thanks to the work he has put in.

"I understand my value and capability on the floor," said Walker. "It comes with a lot of diligence, a lot of discipline but I've been doing this for 24 years of my life. I've always been in the gym and nothing's ever going to change. The proof is in the pudding, the harder you work the more sacrifices you make, the better the outcome."

(Via NBA on TNT)

We cannot wait to see what else the stellar guard accomplishes this postseason.