Austin Reaves scored 28 points and nailed a 12-foot game-winner in the lane as the Los Angeles Lakers held off the Minnesota Timberwolves 116-115 on Wednesday night at the Target Center.
Reaves also matched his career high with 16 assists, orchestrating the offense in the absence of LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
Jake LaRavia led the Lakers with 27 points on 10-for-11 shooting, and Deandre Ayton recorded a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
Los Angeles built a 20-point lead late in the third quarter and appeared in control at 112-101 with just over four minutes remaining.
Minnesota rallied behind Julius Randle’s 33 points and Jaden McDaniels’ 30 points and seven rebounds. The Wolves cut the deficit with a late 14-2 run, capped by Randle’s go-ahead finger roll with 10.2 seconds left.
Reaves maintained composure, taking advantage of pick-and-roll opportunities with Ayton and finding open teammates, including Dalton Knecht, who added 15 points. His clutch play in the final seconds secured the narrow victory for the Lakers.
The game lacked the usual star power with Anthony Edwards sidelined for Minnesota and the Lakers missing four primary ballhandlers, including Marcus Smart and Gabe Vincent. Backup center Jaxon Hayes returned from a knee injury to contribute defensively and on the boards.
Despite the Wolves’ furious rally, the Lakers’ bench and Reaves’ leadership proved decisive. Los Angeles shot 54.2% from the field and converted 68.2% of free throws, while Minnesota finished with 50% shooting and hit 81.8% from the line.
The Lakers improve to 3-2 and look to continue their momentum when they visit Memphis on Friday. Minnesota falls to 2-3 and will aim to rebound at Charlotte on Saturday.
