The Minnesota Timberwolves tamed the Los Angeles Lakers 118-111 on Thursday night, sending the LeBron James-less Lakers skidding into their fourth straight loss. While the reigning champion James nursed a tender ankle on the bench, Anthony Edwards stepped up with 27 points to lead the Timberwolves to victory, tying them with Boston for the NBA’s overall lead at 21-6.
Edwards provided the spark Minnesota needed after a sluggish third quarter, putting the Wolves back in control and helping them avoid consecutive losses for the first time this season. Karl-Anthony Towns chipped in with 21 points before leaving the game with a lower-leg injury for further evaluation.
The Lakers, despite Anthony Davis’s 31-point, 8-rebound performance and Rui Hachimura’s solid 18-point contribution, couldn’t overcome James’s absence. Filling in for the superstar, Hachimura held his own, but the Lakers lacked their usual rhythm and defensive intensity.
Austin Reaves provided a boost off the bench for Los Angeles, firing up 18 points and hitting clutch shots, while former Timberwolves player Taurean Prince contributed four perfect 3-pointers. However, their efforts weren’t enough to stop the energized Timberwolves at home, where they boast an impressive 12-1 record.
This latest defeat adds to the Lakers’ mini-slump, raising questions about whether their recent victory in the NBA In-Season Tournament drained their energy or if more fundamental issues are at play. Coach Darvin Ham has his work cut out for him as he tries to navigate the team’s struggles and get them back on track.
With James expected to return soon, the Lakers will look to break their losing streak and regain their footing in a competitive Western Conference. The Timberwolves, however, appear poised to stay at the top of the league, riding a wave of momentum and proving their early-season success is no fluke.
