The Los Angeles Lakers will try to avoid elimination tonight when they face the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 of their first-round series at Target Center.
Minnesota enters the contest with a 3-1 series lead after rallying late to take Game 4 in Los Angeles behind 43 points from Anthony Edwards.
The Timberwolves have listed rookie guard Rob Dillingham as out with a right ankle sprain, but all other key contributors are expected to be available.
Los Angeles will have forward Rui Hachimura in the lineup despite wearing a protective facemask following a recent nasal injury.
Maxi Kleber is listed as questionable due to a right foot injury that has kept him sidelined since late January. The veteran forward, acquired from Dallas alongside Luka Doncic at the trade deadline, has yet to appear in a playoff game for the Lakers.
In Game 4, the Lakers let a 12-point second-half lead slip away as Minnesota outscored them 32-19 in the fourth quarter to secure a 116-113 win.
Edwards hit two clutch free throws with 10 seconds left after drawing a foul on LeBron James, while Jaden McDaniels delivered a crucial three-point play and a key steal in the final minute.
The Lakers had a chance to tie at the buzzer, but Austin Reaves’ corner three missed, sealing Minnesota’s third win of the series.
Doncic led Los Angeles with 38 points but shot 1-of-6 in the fourth, while James added 27 points and 12 rebounds but failed to score in the final quarter.
Hachimura contributed 23 points in a losing effort, while Reaves scored 17 after a scoreless first half.
Julius Randle provided 25 points for Minnesota, and McDaniels posted a double-double with 16 points and 11 boards.
The Timberwolves have dominated the fourth quarters of the series, outscoring the Lakers by a combined 105-69 in the final period across four games.
