Wolves win showdown against Lakers, but Karl-Anthony Towns exits in 4th
Surely there was some disappointment from Timberwolves fans ahead of Thursday night’s game as the Los Angeles Lakers ruled out LeBron James well ahead of the 8 p.m. tipoff.
But the fans at Target Center who were there to take in the Timberwolves’ highest-grossing game of all-time surely didn’t leave disappointed, at least by the quality and result of the game.
The Wolves beat the Lakers 118-111 in a back-and-forth battle to improve their record in downtown Minneapolis to 12-1. They still haven’t lost back-to-back games this year.
"It was one of those games, going through the game everything that seemed to kind of go against us a little bit did, but a lot of it was self-inflicted. I just thought at times we lost our focus and our seriousness," Timberwolves coach Chris Finch told reporters postgame. "... All credit to the guys for getting a win on a back to back. I know there may not have been a full tank out there, but that's one of those games where if it goes three more minutes, maybe you lose it."
But Minnesota (21-6) closed out its victory in the fourth quarter. The Wolves did, however, see Karl-Anthony Towns limp off during the frame after driving to the basket. He did not return to the game.
Finch did not give reporters an update after the game and just said "hopefully it's not too serious."
Towns finished with 21 points and six rebounds before leaving injured, and Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 27 points while also recording seven rebounds and five assists.
Rudy Gobert had 15 points and 13 boards.
The Wolves overcame a huge night from Anthony Davis, who led the way with 31 points for the Lakers (15-14). D’Angelo Russell had 17 points and eight assists against his former team.
Final key stats
- Anthony Edwards: 27 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, 1 block
- Karl-Anthony Towns: 21 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal
- Mike Conley: 16 points, 8 assists, 2 steals, 1 rebound, 1 block
- Rudy Gobert: 15 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks, 1 steal
- Jaden McDaniels: 14 points, 3 assists, 1 rebound, 1 steal
- Anthony Davis: 31 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks
- Rui Hachimura: 18 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal
- D'Angelo Russell: 17 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 steals
