Wolves run away from Lakers for easy 109-80 win

Field Level Media|published: Mon 2nd December, 22:47 2024

NBA: Los Angeles Lakers at Minnesota Timberwolves

Dec 2, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) dribbles against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

Rudy Gobert scored 17 points and grabbed 12 rebounds and the Minnesota Timberwolves pulled away for a 109-80 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night in Minneapolis.

Julius Randle finished with 18 points for Minnesota, which picked up its second straight win. Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 15 points apiece off the bench, and fellow reserve Donte DiVincenzo had 11 points and nine assists.

D'Angelo Russell scored 20 points on 8-for-12 shooting to lead Los Angeles. Anthony Davis had 12 points and 11 rebounds, and LeBron James contributed 10 points on a difficult night in which he went 4-for-16 from the field.

The Lakers seemed to run out of energy in their second game in as many nights. They were outscored 30-16 in the fourth quarter and 53-36 in the second half.

The Timberwolves shot 50.6 percent (41 of 81) from the field and 42.9 percent (15 of 35) from 3-point range for the game. The Lakers shot 40.5 percent (32 of 79) overall and 19.4 percent (6 of 31) from beyond the arc.

A 10-0, fourth-quarter run by the Timberwolves helped put the game out of reach.

James made a layup to bring Los Angeles within 79-66 with 11:24 to go in the contest.

Reid responded with a driving layup on the next possession for the Timberwolves. That started a run that included a 3-pointer by DiVincenzo, a dunk by Gobert and a 3-pointer by Reid to make it 89-66 with 9:05 remaining.

Luka Garza made a pair of free throws to help the Timberwolves reach the century mark with 3:18 to go. His foul shots gave Minnesota a 100-78 lead.

Minnesota led 56-44 at the half.

The Lakers trailed 30-27 after Russell made a 3-pointer with 9:15 remaining in the first half.

The Timberwolves responded with an 18-6 run to seize a 48-33 advantage with 3:31 to go before the break. The run started with seven straight points on a hook shot from Reid, a 3-pointer from DiVincenzo and a dunk by Gobert.

The Lakers played without Austin Reaves (left pelvic bruise) and Jalen Hood-Schifino (left groin soreness).

--Field Level Media

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