After a huge shot by Dennis Schröder, the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves had a thrilling ending during their play-in game.
Schröder, who scored 18 of his 21 points after the first half of the postseason qualifying match, found himself wide open in the corner after LeBron James drove to the basket late in the fourth quarter.
The NBA’s all-time scoring leader kicked it out to Schröder on the perimeter, and the guard nailed the go-ahead basket to rally back from a 15-point deficit earlier in the second half.
It was one of the most exciting moments of the LeBron era in Los Angeles, and the Lakers superstar and Schröder enjoyed an appropriately entertaining celebration in the immediate aftermath.
LEBRON FINDS SCHRODER.
LAKERS TAKE THE LEAD.1.4 seconds left on TNT! pic.twitter.com/i2NfANyC1w
— NBA (@NBA) April 12, 2023
Take another look at the improbable possession in slow motion:
Dennis Schroder's clutch triple off the LBJ feed… through the eyes of our slo-mo #PhantomCam!
Schroder dropped 18 of his 21 points after halftime pic.twitter.com/49Qg7oWdwp
— NBA (@NBA) April 12, 2023
Schröder danced in front of the Minnesota bench (and former teammate Matt Ryan, who had his own incredible shot for the Lakers earlier this season) and LeBron matched that same energy with an identical gesture.
It was a vibe, to say the least.
(Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Photo, Gary A. Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports
Unfortunately for LeBron and Schröder, however, that shot wasn’t actually a buzzer-beater. Minnesota got the ball back with 1.4 seconds left on the clock, and it didn’t go well for Los Angeles.
Anthony Davis mistakenly fouled Timberwolves guard Mike Conley Jr. on a 3-point shot, and the veteran then nailed all three of his clutch attempts at the charity stripe.
Minnesota managed to take the game into overtime, but Los Angeles held on to win during the extra period of play. Davis later apologized to Schröder for messing up his game-winner.
After the game, during the walk-off interview, LeBron and Schröder celebrated with the same dance move once more.
This was a huge moment for Schröder, who outplayed teammate D’Angelo Russell during the game.
