The Minnesota Timberwolves, often haunted by late-game mistakes this season, picked the perfect moment to flip the script.
Jaden McDaniels delivered the best playoff performance of his young career, scoring 30 points while locking down an under-the-weather Luka Doncic. Backed by McDaniels’ standout two-way play, the Timberwolves defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 116-104 on Friday night to grab a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series.
“Jaden never looks tired. He looks like he could go the whole 48 minutes,” said teammate Anthony Edwards, who added 29 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists.
Julius Randle also came up big for Minnesota, scoring 22 points. The Wolves closed out the game with a dominant 13-1 run in the final 4:37, right after Doncic tied it with a baseline jumper.
“Our best finish of the season, hands down,” said head coach Chris Finch.
LeBron James carried the Lakers offensively, especially with Doncic limited by a stomach bug. James poured in 38 points, including a stretch in the fourth quarter where he drilled three 3-pointers across four possessions.
“He was launching from Yucatán,” Edwards joked. “He was letting it fly.”
However, LeBron cooled off down the stretch, missing his final few attempts — including one that hit the side of the backboard with just over a minute left. Edwards followed that with a long jumper to put the game away and then hyped up the home crowd during a timeout.
“That was probably the most fun I’ve had in Target Center, for sure,” Edwards said.
The series stays in Minneapolis for Game 4 on Sunday.
Austin Reaves chipped in 20 points for the Lakers and hit five three-pointers, helping keep the game close despite LA’s 19 turnovers — mistakes Minnesota capitalized on for 28 points.
“They’ve got size, length, athleticism, and they pressure the ball really well,” said Lakers coach J.J. Redick. “You’re going to turn it over against them.”
Randle, a former Lakers draft pick back in 2014, was especially energized playing in his first home playoff game with Minnesota. He shot 9-of-10 from the line, hustled on defense, and played a big role in the Timberwolves’ dominant 56-26 advantage in points in the paint.
Doncic struggled to get into rhythm, constantly facing pressure from McDaniels. He managed just eight points by halftime, needing a tough step-back three over Edwards late in the second quarter just to get on track.
