Lakers News: LA Locked Into Play-In Tournament, Will Face Timberwolves Tuesday

Los Angeles will have two chances to qualify for the playoffs proper.

Today, your Los Angeles Lakers vanquished mostly the Utah Jazz's scrubs after they once again fought mightily, in this case through three-and-a-half quarters, to finish the season strong at 43-39. Los Angeles has gone 17-9 with its revamped lineup since making its rash of trade deadline acquisitions.

LeBron James was on fire, enjoying a terrific three-point shooting day (he went 8-of-14 from deep), to lead LA in scoring.

Now that the dust has settled, the Lakers' play-in destiny is secure: they have a date with the 42-40 Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night. By benefitting of the being the Western Conference's 7th seed, LA will host Minnesota at Crypto.com Arena. Should the Lakers win against D'Angelo Russell's old team (which feels quite possible), they would advance to face off against a Memphis Grizzlies team without two of its top four big men, starting center Steven Adams and reserve power forward/center Brandon Clarke.

While securing a 113-108 win against the New Orleans Pelicans today, Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert and forward Justin Anderson got into an altercation on Minnesota's bench, and Gobert was sent home before the game wrapped up. 

Here's a breakdown of what happened in the Wolves game, courtesy of our own Noel Sanchez:

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A frustrated Jaden McDaniels also fractured his hand after punching a wall while en rout to the locker room during the game's halftime break, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. 

With these internal chemistry problems plus these injuries to McDaniels and Naz Reid, both now likely done for the entire postseason, the healthy-ish Lakers should make quick work of the Timberwolves.

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