Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick shared his perspective on his team’s 97-87 defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves during Friday night’s postgame press conference. The loss extended the Lakers’ recent struggles and highlighted ongoing shooting issues.
“I give them some credit. That is what they do,” Redick said, referring to Minnesota’s defensive prowess. He pointed out Rudy Gobert’s impact as a rim protector and noted the Lakers’ inability to find rhythm from three-point range, adding, “Just feels like we can’t really get into that rhythm from behind the arc.”
The Timberwolves improved to 13-11 on the season behind Anthony Edwards’ 23 points and Gobert’s 13 rebounds. Minnesota’s defensive effort held the Lakers to 38.4% shooting from the field, marking the third time in four games they’ve kept an opponent below 40%.
Julius Randle contributed 21 points for Minnesota, while Jaden McDaniels added 18 to help secure the Timberwolves’ fifth win in six games. Despite struggling from three-point range themselves, shooting just 28.1%, Minnesota capitalized on the Lakers’ 21 turnovers.
The Lakers, missing LeBron James for the second consecutive game due to left foot soreness and personal reasons, dropped to 13-12. Anthony Davis led Los Angeles with 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Austin Reaves, back after a five-game absence, contributed 18 points. Max Christie added 15 points in a losing effort.
James’ absence was felt on both ends of the floor, and the Lakers’ inability to generate consistent offense against Minnesota’s physical defense proved costly. The team shot 28.6% from beyond the arc, continuing a season-long trend of poor three-point shooting.
Minnesota’s dominance over Los Angeles at home was evident again, as the Timberwolves extended their home winning streak against the Lakers to four games. They now hold a commanding 14-2 record in Minneapolis against Los Angeles since the 2015-16 season.
Bench contributions were limited for both sides, though Naz Reid provided 10 points for Minnesota, while Rob Dillingham chipped in six. The Lakers’ bench failed to provide significant scoring support, adding to their offensive woes.
Despite Anthony Davis’ strong performance, Los Angeles struggled to capitalize on second-chance opportunities, managing just 15 offensive rebounds. No other Lakers starter scored more than 18 points, further underscoring the team’s offensive inefficiencies.
The Timberwolves will look to build on this momentum as they aim to climb the Western Conference standings. For the Lakers, who have now lost eight of their last 11 games, rediscovering their offensive rhythm will be crucial as they navigate the absence of their star player.
