The Los Angeles Lakers fell 97-87 to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a Friday night matchup at the Target Center, extending their struggles with LeBron James absent for the second straight game.
Coming off a rare four-day layoff, the Lakers showed flashes of defensive intensity but faltered offensively, particularly in half-court situations. The defeat marks their eighth loss in 11 games, continuing a troubling stretch for the team.
“We just couldn’t get into a rhythm offensively,” said head coach Darvin Ham. “The effort was there, but we need to execute better as a unit.”
Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 23 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks, despite committing four turnovers. Austin Reaves, returning after a five-game absence, contributed 18 points, six rebounds, and five assists in 30 minutes.
LeBron James remained sidelined due to a left foot issue, which follows an earlier excused absence for personal reasons. The Lakers’ offense has noticeably declined in his absence, failing to score more than 110 points in eight of their last 10 games. Against Minnesota, the team did not surpass 25 points in any quarter.
The Timberwolves, meanwhile, showcased balanced contributions. Anthony Edwards led with 23 points and six rebounds, while Jaden McDaniels impressed with 18 points, nine rebounds, five steals, and two blocks. Rudy Gobert added a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds, helping Minnesota secure their fifth win in six games.
“It’s always good to see the team clicking on both ends of the floor,” said Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch. “The guys are finding ways to make plays when it matters most.”
The Lakers will look to regroup as their offensive woes continue, while the Timberwolves gain momentum in a competitive Western Conference.
