Timberwolves fall to 3rd in West after undermanned loss to Lakers

Wolves lose for fourth time in last six games

Playing their third game in four nights and without Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert, Kyle Anderson and Monte Morris, the Minnesota Timberwolves simply didn't have enough firepower to handle the Lakers on Sunday night. 

Minnesota gave the Lakers all they could handle for three quarters, trailing 69-68 at the half and then beating the third quarter buzzer on a Luka Garza layup to lead 92-91 entering the final 12 minutes. That when things got out of control as the Lakers started the fourth on a 21-4 run, opening up a 16-point lead at 112-96 with 5:56 remaining. 

Minnesota didn't get within single digits the rest of the night and lost 120-109

The loss is the fourth in the past six games for the Wolves as they drop to 44-21 and third place in the Western Conference, trailing Denver (44-20) by a half game and Oklahoma City (45-19) by 1.5 games. 

Towns is out with a torn meniscus. Morris was ruled out with a sore hamstring. And Gobert (hamstring) and Anderson (shoulder) were added to the injury report Sunday afternoon and ruled out before the tipoff. 

Down their two best bigs, Minnesota had no answer for Anthony Davis. The Lakers star finished with 27 points, 25 rebounds, five assists, seven steals and three blocks. 

LeBron James eased his way to 29 points, eight rebounds and nine assists. 

Naz Reid scored 21 in the first half but finished with just 25 points for the game. 

Anthony Edwards led the Wolves with 25 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. 

Up next: Timberwolves at Clippers, Tuesday at 9 p.m. (TNT broadcast)

Mar 10, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) shoots the ball over Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (9) during the second quarter at Crypto.com Arena / Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports