The undermanned Los Angeles Lakers showcased remarkable resilience on Wednesday night, clinching a thrilling 116-115 victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite leading by as much as 20 points, the Lakers found themselves trailing by one with just 10.6 seconds remaining on the clock. In a dramatic last-second effort, Austin Reaves delivered a buzzer-beater shot to seal the win for L.A.
Leading the charge for the Lakers was Jake LaRavia, who had his best performance to date, scoring 27 points, grabbing eight rebounds, and dishing out two assists in 37 minutes of play. Reaves also had a stellar game, finishing with 28 points, 16 assists, and two steals. Additionally, Dalton Knecht contributed significantly with 15 points and two blocks over 36 minutes. On the Timberwolves' side, Deandre Ayton recorded 17 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists, while Rui Hachimura added 17 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Jarred Vanderbilt was a force on the boards, securing 12 rebounds along with four assists in 26 minutes of action.
The game began with the Lakers facing a nine-point deficit early on, as the Timberwolves shot an impressive 80% from beyond the arc, which played a crucial role in their initial dominance. Reaves aimed to involve his teammates, providing assists as LaRavia and Hachimura both connected on three-pointers. However, the Lakers struggled with four early turnovers. Reaves eventually found his rhythm, hitting his first field goal as the quarter closed and going a perfect six for six at the free-throw line. Thanks to Knecht's seven points, the Lakers trailed by only two at the end of the first quarter.
As the second quarter unfolded, the Timberwolves extended their lead with a three-pointer from Naz Reid. The Lakers attempted to respond, scoring four consecutive points, but Minnesota quickly countered with six straight of their own. Every time L.A. seemed to close the gap, the Timberwolves answered back. The duo of Julius Randle and Jaden McDaniels combined for 25 points, causing defensive headaches for the Lakers. The game was tied at the 4:41 mark after a crucial three-pointer from Reaves. L.A. tightened their defense, forcing Minnesota to miss shots they had previously made with ease.
As the second half commenced, the Lakers started strong, quickly establishing a seven-point lead. Hachimura and LaRavia combined for ten points during a 9-2 scoring run, which saw L.A.'s lead grow to double figures. LaRavia continued his impressive performance, going on a solo 8-0 scoring run. However, Minnesota responded with six straight points, cutting the Lakers' lead down to single digits. LaRavia's strong performance continued, bringing his total to 24 points as L.A. regained a double-digit advantage. Despite allowing the Timberwolves to cut the lead to 11 points heading into the fourth quarter, the Lakers held firm.
The final quarter began excellently for L.A., with LaRavia knocking down his fifth three-pointer and showcasing an impressive shooting performance, going 10 for 11 from the field. The Timberwolves struggled offensively, failing to score until the 6:20 mark. As Minnesota began to rally, the Lakers found themselves in a tense situation, allowing the Timberwolves to go on a 12-3 scoring run, narrowing the gap to just six points. A timely jumper from Ayton helped stop the Timberwolves' momentum, but more points from Minnesota soon made it a one-possession game.
In the closing moments, a defensive lapse allowed Minnesota to take a one-point lead with under a minute left after a layup from Randle. However, Reaves was unfazed, launching a jump shot from the paint just as the buzzer sounded, securing the game for the Lakers with a final score of 116-115.
This victory highlighted the depth of the Lakers' roster, with players like LaRavia and Knecht stepping up to deliver crucial performances. Winning with balanced scoring, rather than relying solely on Reaves to carry the team, marks a significant confidence boost for L.A. The Lakers dominated in the paint, racking up 60 points compared to Minnesota's 44.
Looking ahead, the Lakers are set to face the Memphis Grizzlies on Halloween night at 6:30 PM PT. Stay updated with all the latest Lakers news and follow Karin on Twitter at @KarinAbcarians.
