Anthony Edwards scored 23 points to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to a gritty 97-87 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night.
The victory marked Minnesota’s fifth in their last six games and continued their dominance over the Lakers at home, improving to 14-2 against Los Angeles at Target Center since the 2015-16 season.
Julius Randle chipped in with 21 points, while Jaden McDaniels added 18 for the Timberwolves, who leaned heavily on their defensive prowess. Rudy Gobert anchored the interior with a game-high 13 rebounds to go along with 12 points, solidifying Minnesota’s presence in the paint.
Defensive Masterclass from Timberwolves
The Timberwolves showcased why they’ve been one of the league’s most defensively sound teams in recent weeks. Los Angeles shot a mere 38.4% from the field, marking the third time in four games that a Minnesota opponent has failed to hit 40%. Over their past five wins, no team has scored more than 92 points against the Timberwolves, a testament to their ability to stifle offenses.
Los Angeles, meanwhile, struggled mightily to generate any rhythm, committing 21 turnovers and shooting just 28.6% from beyond the arc. Despite a valiant effort from Anthony Davis, who led the Lakers with 23 points and 11 rebounds, the team’s offensive inefficiency proved to be their undoing.
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Lakers Continue to Struggle
The Lakers have now dropped eight of their last 11 games, a stretch defined by their inability to find consistency on both ends of the floor. Over that span, Los Angeles has averaged just 103.3 points per game while allowing opponents to score 113.7, a troubling differential for a team hoping to stay competitive in the West.
Austin Reaves provided a spark off the bench in his return from a five-game absence, scoring 18 points, while Max Christie added 15. However, the absence of LeBron James loomed large. James, dealing with left foot soreness and away from the team for personal reasons, missed his second consecutive game. Lakers coach JJ Redick expressed uncertainty about when the star forward might return.
Key Moment: Timberwolves Seal the Deal
With just over two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the Lakers had a chance to trim Minnesota’s lead after a missed 3-pointer by Mike Conley. Rui Hachimura grabbed the rebound but had the ball stripped by Randle, who quickly found McDaniels for a crucial layup, extending the Timberwolves’ lead to 89-82. The play epitomized Minnesota’s aggressive defense and turned the tide definitively in their favor.
Shooting Woes for Both Teams
Neither team found much success from long range, as Minnesota shot just 28.1% (9 of 32) from 3-point territory, slightly edged out by Los Angeles’ 28.6% (10 of 35). Despite their struggles from deep, the Timberwolves found ways to generate offense through their defense, forcing turnovers and capitalizing on fast-break opportunities.
Consistency in Home Dominance
Minnesota’s win extended their home winning streak against the Lakers to four games, reaffirming their dominance at Target Center. The Timberwolves’ ability to leverage their home-court advantage has been a key factor in their recent surge, positioning them as a legitimate threat in the Western Conference.
Up Next
The Lakers return to Los Angeles for a matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies, where they’ll look to snap their recent skid. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves head to San Antonio on Sunday, aiming to build on their defensive momentum and continue their winning ways.
As the Timberwolves lock down opponents with suffocating defense and timely scoring, they’re proving to be one of the toughest teams to face on any given night. For the Lakers, questions about their roster cohesion and the absence of LeBron James remain critical hurdles in their fight to stay competitive.