No LeBron, No Win!!! Wolves Defeat Lakers 118-111 as LeBron James Sits Out

On Thursday night in Minneapolis, Anthony Edwards led the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 118-111 victory over the visiting Los Angeles Lakers. Edwards also handed out five assists and accumulated seven rebounds.

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Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 21 points for Minnesota, which rebounded from a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers the previous evening. Rudy Gobert recorded 15 points and 13 rebounds to record a double-double.

The Lakers, who lost their fourth consecutive contest, were led by Anthony Davis (12-11) and eight rebounds. Rui Hachimura recorded 18 points, while Austin Reaves contributed 20.

Due to a sore left ankle, Lakers icon LeBron James did not participate in the second night of a back-to-back set, as described by the organization. Gabe Vincent was also unable to participate due to a left knee injury.

With 5:14 remaining, Hachimura secured a 104-99 deficit for the Lakers on a basket assisted by D’Angelo Russell.

With 2:34 remaining, Minnesota responded with a 12-4 run to take a 116-103 lead. During the decisive drive, Rudy Gobert executed an alley-oop layup and Mike Conley sank a 3-pointer.

At quarter’s conclusion, the Timberwolves held an 87-83 advantage.

Hachimura’s three-pointer with 1:01 remaining in the third quarter gave the Lakers an 82-81 lead. Minnesota reclaimed the lead in the final minute on three-pointers by Naz Reid and Edwards.

At half, Minnesota held a 63-59 lead.

Before halftime, Davis led all scorers with 18 points. Edwards scored 14 points to lead the Timberwolves.

The Lakers reduced their deficit to 36-32 with 0.1 seconds remaining in the first quarter when Taurean Prince buried a three-pointer. Prince, who signed with Los Angeles during the offseason after spending the previous two seasons with the Timberwolves, made his return to Minnesota for the very first time in this contest.

A combined 27 points were tallied by both teams in the second quarter, enabling the Timberwolves to maintain a four-point advantage at halftime.

With 57 seconds remaining in the first half, Jaden McDaniels made a 3-pointer to give Minnesota a 63-54 lead. However, the Lakers completed the half on Reaves’s two free throws and another 3-pointer by Prince, who finished with 14 points.