The Lakers challenged the Timberwolves, the No. 1 player in the West, and the Lakers lost 106-108 to the Timberwolves due to James' late three-point attempt. Since winning the midseason tournament, the Lakers have won just three of their 10 games, winning just three teams: the Spurs, Thunder and Hornets. The Lakers are also just 2-8 against the top six in the West this season, winning only against the Thunder (129-120) and the Clippers (130-125).
The Lakers currently have a 17-16 record, overtaken by the Suns (16-15) and dropped to ninth in the West. The Rockets are in 10th place in the West with 17 wins and 16 losses, and the Warriors have suffered three consecutive losses, and their record has become 15-17, ranking 11th in the West.
James ushered in his 39th birthday today, and on his 39th birthday night, James performed well, playing 38 minutes in the game, shooting 10 of 21, 1 of 4 three-pointers, 5 of 7 free throws, and scoring 26 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals and 1 block.
It is worth mentioning that at the last moment of the game, James scored 5 points in a row, and was expected to tie the score and drag it into overtime, but unfortunately the three-point draw stepped on the line, and the final layup did not complete the shot, unfortunately losing to the Timberwolves.
Speaking of stepping on the line for three points, we have to mention Durant's three-point step on the line in the 2021 tie-break against the Bucks, Durant could have used this three-point shot to complete the stunner, but he stepped on the line, resulting in the two sides could only be separated by overtime, and the Nets were eventually eliminated by the Bucks.
Thick eyebrows are still very explosive today, playing 39 minutes, shooting 12 of 17, 1 of 2 three-pointers, 8 of 10 free throws, and scoring 33 points, 17 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 steals and 2 blocks. Aside from James and Bushy Eyebrows, the Lakers didn't have any other players scoring in double figures today.
On the Timberwolves' side, Edwards played 38 minutes, shooting 10-of-23, 2-of-8 three-pointers, and 9-of-11 free throws, scoring a team-high 31 points, plus 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 blocks, with a plus/minus of +8, including 11 points on 3-of-7 shooting in the final quarter. Reed played 27 minutes off the bench, shooting 8-of-11 from the field, 2-of-5 from three-point range, and 3-of-4 from the free-throw line, with 21 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 2 blocks, with a plus/minus of +13.
Gobert played 38 minutes, shooting 6-of-7 from the field and 1-of-1 from the free-throw line to finish with 13 points, 13 rebounds and 2 steals with a plus/minus of +19. Conley started the game for 33 minutes, shooting 4-of-11, 4-of-9 from three-point range and 3-of-4 from the free-throw line to finish with 15 points, 4 rebounds and 7 assists with a plus/minus of +3. Downs was in foul trouble, playing 29 minutes, shooting 3-of-7, 1-of-4 from three-point range, and 2-of-2 from the free throw line, scoring only 9 points, 9 rebounds and 2 assists, as well as 5 turnovers and 5 fouls, with a team-low plus/minus of -23.