MINNEAPOLIS — On Monday night, the Minnesota Timberwolves delivered a strong performance, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers with a score of 109-80.
Julius Randle led the Timberwolves with 18 points, while Rudy Gobert notched a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds, contributing significantly to the team’s success.
Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker each added 15 points to the Wolves’ total, who improved their record to 10-10. The Timberwolves’ defense was particularly noteworthy, as they managed to restrict the Lakers to their lowest scoring output since a devastating 122-73 loss to the Dallas Mavericks back in 2017.
Despite being touted as key players, star Lakers Anthony Edwards had a rough night, scoring only eight points on 3-of-13 shooting from the field. LeBron James and Anthony Davis also struggled significantly; James has now missed 19 consecutive attempts from behind the arc, finishing the game with 10 points on 4-of-16 shooting. Davis managed to contribute 12 points and 11 rebounds, while D’Angelo Russell made his return from illness and added 20 points to the Lakers’ totals, yet the outcome was disappointing as they fell to 12-9.
The Lakers faced the Timberwolves after a narrow victory against Utah, where they won 105-104. This matchup was particularly challenging, especially considering the earlier season meeting where the Lakers bested the Wolves 110-103 with a stellar 36-point, 16-rebound performance from Davis.
In terms of reflections, Lakers rookie coach J.J. Redick described his team’s performance at the quarter mark of the season as “uneven and inconsistent.” This latest defeat marks the Lakers’ fifth loss in their last seven games, which may echo Redick’s evaluation.
Meanwhile, for the Timberwolves, the emphasis on a robust defense has helped the team push for improvements in their transition game and 3-point shooting. They effectively accomplished both objectives in this game, going 15-for-35 from beyond the arc and scoring 20 points on fast breaks.
A memorable moment came from Gobert, the four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, who made an impactful play by stealing an inbounds pass from Max Christie for an impressive fast-break dunk late in the third quarter, showcasing his defensive prowess.
The Timberwolves maintained their defensive strength, holding their opponents under 100 points for the second consecutive game and for the fourth time this season. During the 2023-24 campaign, they have previously ranked high in scoring defense, achieving similar feats against their foes 23 times.
Looking ahead, the Lakers are set to play against the Miami Heat on Wednesday, while the Timberwolves will travel to take on the Los Angeles Clippers.
