Los Angeles Lakers fans will recall Lonnie Walker IV’s clutch 15-point fourth quarter in the 2023 playoffs, and now the 27-year-old guard is back in the NBA after signing a one-year, $3.3 million deal with the Denver Nuggets. The Lakers, currently reeling from a 110-115 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on 2026-05-12, see a former hero join a conference rival.
What happened with Lonnie Walker IV?
NBA insider Shams Charania confirmed Walker’s return to the league after a season in the EuroLeague with Maccabi Tel Aviv. His last NBA action came in 2024-25 with the Philadelphia 76ers, where he averaged 12 points in 24 minutes per game over 20 appearances.
Why do Los Angeles Lakers fans remember him?
Walker’s defining moment came in Game 4 of the 2023 Western Conference semifinals against the Golden State Warriors. After a scoreless first three quarters, he exploded for 15 points on 6-for-9 shooting in the final frame, propelling the Lakers to a 3-1 series lead. That performance earned the moniker the “Lonnie Walker IV game” in Lakers lore.
What’s next for Walker and the Nuggets?
Denver adds a proven scorer with playoff experience as they aim to reclaim their footing in a stacked Western Conference. Walker, a former first-round pick, brings perimeter shooting and athleticism to a Nuggets roster looking to bounce back from inconsistency. Meanwhile, the Lakers, on a five-game losing streak (0W-0D-5L), face their own challenges ahead of the 2026-27 season.
