Lakers offense struggles without LeBron in lineup against Minnesota
Lakers set a season low with 19 assists in loss
Recap of Lakers/Timberwolves game played on December 21, 20231st Quarter
In a matchup with the top two teams in the Western Conference, LeBron James missed his third game of the season. The Timberwolves came out of the gates aggressive and controlled the tempo of the game from the start. Anchored by back-to-back three-pointers from Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns, the Timberwolves took an early twelve-point lead over the Lakers, 16-4. The Timberwolves kept their double-digit lead for most of the first quarter and ended with a fourteen-point lead 36-22.
2nd Quarter
The Lakers tried to cut into the Wolves lead, but couldn't get any closer than ten points, despite their three-point shooting being one of their lone brightspots of the game. Anthony Davis hit a free throw that cut the lead down to ten, 59-49, but the Wolves ended the first half with an 8-1 run that increased their lead to seventeen-points at halftime, 67-50.
3rd Quarter
The Wolves opened up the third quarter increasing their lead to twenty-two, 74-52. D'Angelo Russell knocked down two straight three-pointers, making the score 74-58. Several minutes later Anthony Davis hit a three-pointer to cut the lead down to eleven, 76-65. Later in the quarter, a three-pointer from Kyle Anderson put the Wolves back up by seventeen, 86-69. A layup by Anthony Davis finally cut the Wolves lead to single digits, 88-79, but the Anthony Edwards and Naz Reid knocked down consecutive jumpshots giving Minnesota a 92-79 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
4th Quarter
Naz Reid hit two three-pointers to begin the fourth quarter for the Wolves, increasing their lead to 98-81. The Lakers got it down to twelve on a three-pointer by D'Angelo Russell, 99-87, but Minnesota responded and after a Karl-Anthony Town dunk had their biggest lead of the game, nineteen points, 108-89. The Lakers looking for one last run to get back in the game, found it and went on a 13-1 run to cut the lead down to seven-points, 109-102. Cam Reddish hit a jumpshot that cut the lead down to six-points, 110-104, but on the next Timberwolves possession Karl-Anthony Towns was fouled on a three-point attempt, sending him to the free throw line for three shots. Towns knocked down all three free throws, putting Minnesota up 113-104. Anthony Edwards would seal the game with a three-pointer with nine seconds left as the Timberwolves defeated the Lakers 116-109.
 |
@ |  |
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Lakers | 22 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 109 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 36 | 31 | 25 | 24 | 116 |
D'Angelo Russell - 27 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 1 block
Anthony Davis - 26 points, 17 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 3 blocks
Austin Reaves - 18 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block
Cam Reddish - 12 points, 6 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block
Taurean Prince - 10 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists
Minnesota Timberwolves Player Stats
Karl-Anthony Towns - 25 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals
Anthony Edwards - 23 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists
Naz Reid - 19 points, 5 rebounds, 1 block
Mike Conley - 16 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists
Kyle Anderson - 13 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists
Upcoming Schedule
12/23/23: @ Oklahoma City Thunder
12/25/23: vs. Boston Celtics
12/28/23: vs. Charlotte Hornets
12/30/23: @ Minnesota Timberwolves
12/31/23: @ New Orleans Pelicans
Russell attacking and getting to the basket
Davis with the drop step
Austin Reaves knocking down the three-point shot
