The Minnesota Timberwolves secured a 116-104 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series Friday night at the Target Center in Minneapolis, moving ahead 2-1 in the best-of-seven matchup.
Anthony Edwards delivered a standout performance for sixth-seeded Minnesota, leading the team with 29 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists. Jaden McDaniels also had a night to remember, scoring a career-best 30 points to help power the Timberwolves past a determined Lakers squad. Their efforts were crucial in overcoming a dominant showing from Los Angeles’ veteran star, LeBron James.
James, continuing to defy his age, finished with 38 points and 10 rebounds to pace the third-seeded Lakers. He made history in the process, setting a new record for the highest-scoring playoff performance by a player aged 40 or older. James hit the milestone when he drained a three-pointer midway through the fourth quarter, marking his 35th point of the night.
The Lakers managed to keep the contest tight through most of the second half. Luka Doncic, who was battling through an upset stomach and noticeably low energy, still contributed 17 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds. Despite his struggles, Doncic played a key role as the Lakers fought back to tie the game at 103 with just under five minutes remaining, following a basket he scored.
However, Minnesota responded strongly down the stretch. Edwards and McDaniels kept the Timberwolves’ offense humming, and the team clamped down defensively to prevent Los Angeles from taking control late. Their resilience highlighted that Minnesota had no intention of folding, even against a surging Lakers squad finding its offensive groove after lackluster performances in Games 1 and 2.
In the opening minutes of Game 3, Minnesota showed good balance, with Jaden McDaniels and Julius Randle each tallying eight points early on. Edwards added 12 points during the first half, although he hadn’t yet fully asserted his dominance on the game at that point.
The Lakers, meanwhile, looked far sharper offensively compared to their earlier struggles in the series. They connected on 52.4 percent of their shots (22-of-42) from the field and knocked down 42.9 percent (9-of-21) from beyond the arc in the first half. LeBron James and Austin Reaves both chipped in with six points each early, giving Los Angeles hope of building a solid lead.
Still, the Timberwolves refused to back down. Their defensive effort intensified as the game wore on, and they capitalized on crucial opportunities. Minnesota’s energy on both ends of the floor ultimately proved too much for the Lakers to handle in the closing minutes.
The news of Doncic’s health issues surfaced during the first quarter when ESPN’s Lisa Salters reported he was dealing with an upset stomach and reduced energy levels. That explained his sluggish start, where he managed just two points on 1-for-6 shooting. Despite the illness, Doncic battled through to deliver a respectable performance, although it wasn’t enough to lift the Lakers over the top.
In addition to Edwards and McDaniels’ big nights, Minnesota got important contributions from their supporting cast, helping to counter Los Angeles’ late push and maintain their composure in crunch time. The Timberwolves demonstrated a maturity and toughness that could serve them well as the series continues.
For the Lakers, the loss was a missed opportunity despite James’ remarkable night. His ability to dominate at 40 years old continues to amaze, but it will take more than his brilliance alone for Los Angeles to turn the series around. They will need greater consistency from their secondary scorers and a fully healthy Doncic to regain momentum in Game 4.
Meanwhile, Minnesota’s impressive response under pressure signals that this series is far from over—and that they might just be ready to make a serious postseason run if they can maintain this level of intensity and execution.
