Lakers News: Lonnie Walker IV Reacts To First Meaningful Playoff Minutes Of Career In Game 3

The LA reserve shooting guard was back in the team's rotation last night.

Los Angeles Lakers reserve shooting guard Lonnie Walker IV was reinserted into LA's rotation during the team's critical 127-97 Game 3 win over the Golden State Warriors yesterday, and he made the most of the opportunity. He played just 27 minutes total across LA's prior eight playoff contests, all mop-up time. With Walker added back to head coach Darvin Ham's playoff lineup, wings Malik Beasley and Troy Brown Jr. were forced to ride pine until garbage time in this one.

After the game, Walker spoke with Allie Clifton of Spectrum SportsNet of his return to LA's rotation -- which, incidentally, marked the first meaningful playoff minutes of his entire four-year NBA career. During his rookie season with the San Antonio Spurs, he averaged just three minutes a game in the Spurs' seven-game 2019 first round playoff series loss to the Denver Nuggets.

In 24:24 of action yesterday for LA, Walker scored 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting from the floor (2-of-4 from three) and 2-of-2 shooting from the foul line. He also chipped in four rebounds, two steals and a block while notching a +30 plus-minus.

"It felt like a dream. I've been talking about being able to play in the playoffs and play in some type of atmosphere like that, I had the time of my life." @lonniewalker_4 with @RealAClifton on how it was like being out on the court and how he stayed ready. 👏 pic.twitter.com/70MYqhCu2M

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) May 7, 2023

"It felt like a dream," Walker said of his experience on Saturday. I've been talking about being able to play in the playoffs and play in some type of atmosphere like that, I had the time of my life."

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