Donte DiVincenzo had a dramatic end to the game for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
When Donte DiVincenzo looks back on Game 4 of the series with the LA Lakers, the Minnesota Timberwolves star will reflect on a chaotic fourth quarter.
And from an individual standpoint, he may consider that teammates Naz Reid and Anthony Edwards bailed him out by closing out the NBA Playoffs game.
With 2:11 remaining, Donte DiVincenzo drove to the rim and scored a lay-up, also earning a foul. It was a critical moment.
But then with 1:37 to go, DiVincenzo went back to the well again – and was made to pay.
Donte DiVincenzo’s lay-up attempt was ruthlessly blocked as LeBron James leaped between the rim to shut out his attempt.
A connection was instantly made with LeBron James’ block on Andre Iguodala in the 2016 NBA Finals, one of the all-time legendary play.
Former Cavaliers teammate Richard Jefferson was on commentary for the Lakers game, and remarked: “”It brings back some special, special memories,” after seeing his block on DiVincenzo.
It turned into a potentially important play, with the Lakers going straight to the other end of the court and Rui Hachimura scoring a three to re-take the lead.
Former star Kendrick Perkins called out the Timberwolves star for a lack of awareness.
He wrote on X: “Donte has lost his damn mind. No way in hell he thought that layup attempt was safe with Bron guarding him.”
Thankfully for the Timberwolves star it became a footnote in the game rather than the critical moment it appeared.
Minnesota closed out a 116-113 win, taking a series lead.
With the Minnesota Timberwolves winning the game, the narrative took an immediate switch.
LeBron James scored 27 points – but none of his scoring came in the fourth quarter, and there was a clear reason for that.
JJ Redick remarkably decided to play the same five players for the entire second half, and the Lakers were outscored 32-19 in the fourth, a decision queried by Magic Johnson.
Perkins blasted, with a little exaggeration: “Rookie Mistake by JJ!!! Bron and Luka were dead tired… you’ve have to find time to get them some rest. Especially a 40 year old LeBron James who’s in his 100th season.”
