FSM Essential Recap: Lakers vs Timberwolves - Game 77 - 2023

FSM Essential Recap: Lakers vs Timberwolves – Game 77 – 2023

Franchise Sports Media

Los Angeles Lakers (39-38) | Minnesota Timberwolves (39-39)

 

The Los Angeles Lakers are now over .500 for the first time this season after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 123-111

The Lakers vs Timberwolves played at the Target Center on Friday.

The Los Angeles Lakers moved up to 39-38 with their win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, their first time over. 500 this season, and they leaped to the seventh seed in the West. The win came thanks to a large part from Anthony Davis. Davis gutted out an ankle injury he suffered in the second half, totaling 38 points (15-of-26 FGs, 8-of-10 FTs), 17 rebounds, and two blocks. 

“Everyone knows it all starts with AD,” Darvin Ham said. “We have a team that can make some things happen, but you’ve got to have that one pivotal force that can lead the charge. In our case, it’s AD.”

The Lakers fans in attendance gave Davis a standing ovation when he went to the locker room early.

“He changed the game for us,” Jarred Vanderbilt said of Davis dominating after his ankle tweak. “Changed the momentum, changed everything.”

Davis got caught up on teammate Wenyen Gabriel’s foot which led to the subsequent injury. Davis got up on his own but then immediately collapsed. He had to be helped up by multiple teammates.

Anthony Davis took over

“I knew I was going to play regardless,” Davis said. “Just that initial tweak, a little bit of pain.”

The start of the Lakers vs Timberwolves’ first half. 

“He’s good. He powered through,” Ham on Davis and his ankle. “Already started the process of trying to treat the (twisted ankle).”

“Hell yeah. Yeah,” Davis said when asked if he’s playing in Houston.

LeBron James had a rough outing, not seeming like his usual self, totaling just 18 points (7-of-19 FGs, 1-of-3 3s). However, he was still able to produce ten rebounds, six assists, and two blocks. 

“Sunday can’t come fast enough for me,” James said. James added that his rhythm is not back yet, but he is feeling better physically and progressing with each game. He also said that he expects to play Sunday against the Houston Rockets.

This was a pivotal matchup for the Western Conference playoff race, and the “Beat LA!” chants were already started by pregame. With tons of energy in the building early for Minnesota, the Wolves used it towards a 7-1 start.

Trailing by as many as nine points early, the Lakers rallied to tie the game at 27 before Kyle Anderson got a late bucket to fall. It was a harsh environment with playoff vibes. An 8-0 run by the Lakers began the second quarter, punctuated by an and-1 from James. Minnesota outscored Los Angeles 24-10 over the final 6:28 of the second quarter.

The Wolves’ size killed the Lakers on the offensive glass. But regardless, Los Angeles trimmed a 13-point lead down to three as Davis scored after suffering the ankle injury. Superb defense during this stretch allowed them to get out in transition.

A 24-2 run for the Lakers turned a 12-point deficit into a 10-point lead at 88-78. The entire bench was standing for the last few possessions. They got stops and relentlessly attacked Minnesota in transition, despite Davis turning his ankle in the midst of it.

The end of the Lakers vs Timberwolves’ first half. 

The Lakers completely flipped the script and headed into the fourth quarter leading 90-83. Los Angeles outscored Minnesota 35-18 in the third quarter.

The start of the Lakers vs Timberwolves’ second half. 

Rui Hachimura did an impressive job battling Karl-Anthony Towns (23 points, eight rebounds) in the post. Along with the Lakers continuing to attack in the fourth quarter, they were able to draw the fifth Wolves foul at the 6:59 mark.

Davis went berserk, scoring ten straight points. He was dominant, doing all of that while gingerly jogging end to end. Davis’ domination ended with him scoring 15 of the Lakers’ last 17 points, with 21 of his total 38 points coming after turning his ankle early in the third quarter when Los Angeles trailed 76-68.

“Y’all can’t say nothing about 3, man,” D’Angelo Russell said of Davis.

The Lakers held Minnesota to 36 second-half points with two minutes to play (18 in each quarter).

Up next is a date with the Houston Rockets on Sunday.

The final score of the Lakers vs Timberwolves was 123-111, Los Angeles. 

The Lakers now take on the Houston Rockets Sunday, April 2nd, at 4:00 p.m. PST. The game is on NBA League Pass, AT&T SportsNet Southwest, and Spectrum SportsNet.

 

– Jake Ideguchi-Furukawa – Franchise Sports Media

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