NBA Playoffs: Warriors Dynasty on Life Support After Losing Game 4 vs. Lakers

• The Golden State Warriors fell 3-1 down in their second-round series versus the Lakers after losing Game 4
• The defeat raises a few questions for the Warriors, mainly, is their dynasty coming to an end?
• The defending NBA champions have come back from 3-1 down before; can they do it again?

Golden State Warriors fourth-quarter performance in Game 4 against the Los Angeles Lakers gave us ominous signs that the dynasty that dominated the NBA for nearly a decade was coming to an end.

They lost Game 4 101-104 to go 3-1 down, and for most of the game, they lacked the urgency and experience that has won them four championships in eight years.

Klay Thompson, who has been decent for much of the playoffs, missed key shots, Draymond Green made some shocking decisions, Jordan Poole couldn't score, and Stephen Curry couldn't make shots late in the game.

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They went into the fourth quarter up seven points, but the Lakers' 7-0 run to tie the game saw the defending champions collapse just like they did in many regular season games. Curry, who finished with a triple-double, missed a 30-footer with 17 seconds remaining, that would've given the Warriors a two-point lead.

The Warriors still had chances to win the game, but two costly turnovers from Curry and Green proved to be decisive.

Steve Kerr's team scored only 17 points in the fourth quarter and committed 16 turnovers which resulted in 20 points for the Lakers, per the Athletic.

LeBron James finished with 27 points, 9 boards, and 6 assists, while Anthony Davis added 23 points and 15 rebounds. However, it was Lonnie Walker IV who stole the show, scoring all his 15 points in the fourth quarter.

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So, is their dynasty on the brink?

Perhaps. However, they have come back from 3-1 down during their dynasty, in 2016 against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference finals. Nevertheless, in 2016, they were young and had just come from the best regular season in NBA history, where they went 73-9.

This time around, they were one of the worst road teams in the league and limped to a playoff spot.

Struggling core

In Game 4, Curry finished with a triple-double (31 points, 10 rebounds, and 14 assists) but went just 12-of-30 from the field and made just three of 14 three-point attempts, per CBS Sports.

Thompson finished with just 9 points on 3-of-11 shooting from the floor and 3-of-9 from three-point range, while Green finished with 8 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists. He also committed five turnovers.

Those three will need to be on top of their game for three straight games to win the series, but that is a daunting task. The reigning champions have had so many games this season where they just implode and literally throw the game away, something which they have carried into the postseason.

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Jordan Poole problem

Poole went scoreless in Game 4 and played just 10 minutes, the fewest total minutes Poole has played in any game, regular or postseason, over the last two seasons. It was a night to forget for perhaps the Warriors' best reserve player, who recently signed a four-year $123 million extension.

He's been poor in the playoffs. He's averaging 10.0 points per game on 34.2% shooting from the field and 27.8 from deep in 21.6 minutes per game. Last season in the NBA playoffs, he averaged 17.0 points per game on 50.8% from the field and 39.1 from three-point range. What is really happening with Poole?

The Warriors will have a few decisions to make in the offseason if they lose the series to the Lakers.

Complicated offseason

Green's has a player option for $27.6 million next year. He could decline his player option for next season and become an unrestricted free agent next summer, per NBC Sports. Before the current season started, Green punched Poole during practice, an incident that may have deeply affected the team.

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General manager Bob Myers's future is uncertain. His deal expires in June. Therefore, it will be an interesting off-season for the Warriors.

The Warriors could pull off another epic comeback, or the Lakers can knock them out of the playoffs and basically end their dynasty.

NBA Twitter reacts to Lonnie Walker IV's display

Sports Brief earlier reported on NBA Twitter reacting to Lonnie Walker IV's impeccable performance for the Lakers in Game 4.

He erupted for 15 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Lakers to a 104-101 victory over the Warriors on Monday night.

Walker went toe to toe with the Warriors in the final frame, having as many made field goals (6) as Golden State in the fourth quarter of Game 4.