Anthony Edwards led the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 118-111 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers during Thursday night’s NBA action, contributing 27 points in a game that saw LeBron James sidelined due to rest. This win marked the fourth consecutive loss for the Lakers and elevated the Timberwolves’ record, tying them with Boston for the NBA’s best at 21-6.
Playing back-to-back games, the Wolves showcased resilience, as noted by coach Chris Finch., particularly bouncing back after a sluggish third quarter to close out the game effectively.
“All credit to the guys for getting the win on a back-to-back,” Finch said. “I know there might not have been a full tank for everyone, but that’s one of those games where if it goes 3 more minutes, we may lose it.”
Karl-Anthony Towns added 21 points for the Timberwolves before exiting with a lower leg injury. Finch didn’t provide an update on Towns’ condition but acknowledged the impact of his exit. The team’s depth, however, shone through, with Mike Conley contributing 16 points and eight assists and Rudy Gobert providing 15 points and 13 rebounds. This win prevented the Wolves from consecutive losses, improving their impressive home record to 12-1.
“We just use our depth and our size,” Conley said. “That can be overwhelming for certain teams at certain times, and it allows us to just be unpredictable every night.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves, Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
The Lakers, struggling to find consistency, saw Anthony Davis leading with 31 points and eight rebounds. Rui Hachimura, filling in for the resting James, scored 18 points. Despite their recent challenges, including a 1-5 record since winning the NBA In-Season Tournament, Lakers coach Darvin Ham remains optimistic about the team’s prospects.
“We’ll break through this thing, once we get guys back healthy, get guys back in rhythm,” Ham said. “We’ll be OK.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves, Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
The Lakers’ bench showed sparks of potential, with Austin Reaves scoring 18 points and Taurean Prince hitting all four of his 3-point attempts. D’Angelo Russell, who faced his former team, added 17 points and eight assists, though he acknowledged the team’s ongoing struggles with consistency.
“It was a battle from start to finish, and he showed why he is who he is, even in a loss,” Ham said. “He’s a pleasure to coach, man.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves, Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Despite the Lakers’ efforts, the Timberwolves’ strong defensive record, the best in the league in terms of points allowed, was a key factor in their victory. “Our defense is our cornerstone,” Conley emphasized.
The Lakers will next face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday, while the Timberwolves are set to play against the Sacramento Kings on the same day.
