Minnesota Timberwolves Defeat Los Angeles Lakers 116-104

The Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves’ first-round series shifted to the Target Center for Games 3 and 4. The Timberwolves defeated the Lakers 116-104 in Game 3 on Friday. Minnesota leads the series 2-1.

Jaden McDaniels led the Timberwolves with 30 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 assist. Anthony Edwards followed with 29 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists. Julius Randle added 22 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. Naz Reid had 11 points and 6 rebounds. Donte DiVincenzo scored 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists.

LeBron James led the Lakers with 38 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists. Austin Reaves followed with 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. Luka Doncic added 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists. Rui Hachimura had 8 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists. Dorian Finney-Smith scored 8 points, 1 rebound, and 2 assists.

Los Angeles Lakers-Minnesota Timberwolves Recap

The Los Angeles Lakers ruled out Maxi Kleber with a broken right foot. Kleber broke his right foot on January 25, 2025. The Lakers’ starting lineup featured Rui Hachimura, LeBron James, Jaxson Hayes, Austin Reaves, and Luka Doncic. The Lakers sported their Icon City jerseys.

The Minnesota Timberwolves ruled out Rob Dillingham with a right ankle sprain. Dillingham sprained his right ankle sprain on December 23, 2024. The Timberwolves’ starting lineup featured Mike Conley, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle, and Rudy Gobert.

The Timberwolves had a slight edge in the first quarter. McDaniels drove up in the layup, while James finished the layup. The Timberwolves led 32-26 after the first quarter. Both teams started slow in the second quarter but gradually picked up the pace. The Timberwolves shouted out actor Josh Duhamel and his wife, model and beauty queen Audra Mari. The Lakers took a 58-54 lead into halftime.

The Timberwolves opened the third quarter with a 3-0 run. Gobert anchored the Timberwolves’ defense. Gobert stole the ball from Doncic on the perimeter for a transition basket. The Timberwolves led 86-84 after three quarters. Both teams started slow but sped up in the fourth quarter. The Timberwolves successfully challenged a foul call on Edwards in clutch time. The Timberwolves won 116-104 in regulation.

Lakers-Timberwolves Highlights

The Los Angeles Lakers-Minnesota Timberwolves game featured multiple highlights, such as James’ statement on Friday. James said, “I’m available today.” James suffered a groin strain in the fourth quarter of the Lakers’ 111-101 loss to the Boston Celtics on March 8 and missed the next seven games before returning to the Lakers’ lineup on March 22.

For the Lakers, actor and comedian Jack Black’s re-creation of James’ playoff moment from the 2020 postseason run went viral. Black was mic’d up and yelling that it’s the Lakers’ ball in the video clip. Black is widely known for his enthusiasm and eccentric personality. Black will star in the new “Anaconda” film.

For the Timberwolves, their game plan was revealed to the general public. According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Minnesota designed a specific game plan for James in the lead-up to this series. The goal? Limit transition opportunities and make James play in the half-court so that he eventually wears down.

Final Thoughts

The Los Angeles Lakers tied the series at one apiece with a 94-85 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 2 at the Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday. The Lakers’ 34-point first quarter helped the home team fend off the Timberwolves in regulation. Doncic led the Lakers with 31 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists.

The Lakers and Timberwolves will meet again for Game 4 in the Target Center on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Central. The game will be broadcast on ABC. The Timberwolves can upset the Lakers if the former maintains efficiency, balance, and composure, reduces efficiency in Luka Doncic’s playmaking, and outsmarts the Lakers’ bench.