Apr 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Los Angeles Lakers ahead LeBron James (23) passes the ball from the bottom as Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) pls protection within the first half throughout recreation three of first spherical for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Goal Middle. Necessary Credit score: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Photographs
If the playoff sequence between the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves had been a film, it is perhaps arduous to find out how one can label it.
Drama? Sure. Motion? Additionally, sure. Thriller? You guess.
However this sequence has no script, so it is anybody’s guess what’s going to occur when the groups meet for Recreation 4 of their Western Convention quarterfinals sequence on Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis.
The Timberwolves maintain a 2-1 lead within the best-of-seven sequence after closing robust for a 116-104 win in Recreation 3 on Friday evening.
Now, the Lakers will attempt to even the sequence earlier than the groups head to Los Angeles for Recreation 5. However, the Timberwolves would like to seize a 3-1 sequence lead and put the Lakers’ backs towards the wall.
“You by no means know what is going on to occur at any second, particularly within the playoffs,” mentioned Timberwolves ahead Naz Reid, who knocked down a number of huge pictures off the bench in Recreation 3. “You have to be prepared for something at any second.”
The Lakers seemingly will flip to LeBron James to cleared the path. James comes off a terrific efficiency by which he scored 38 factors and drained 5 3-pointers to maintain his group in competition for so long as he may.
Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, who additionally shined within the fourth quarter, marveled at James’ capability.
“He did the whole lot he may in his energy to attempt to will them to a win,” Edwards mentioned. “He was shootin’ it from Yucatan. He was taking pictures it loopy. … It was enjoyable to observe him, be competing towards him.”
The large query for the Lakers is whether or not Luka Doncic will have the ability to be part of James on a star degree in Recreation 4. Doncic averaged 34 factors per recreation within the first two video games of the sequence, however he was bothered by a abdomen bug on Friday and missed 10 of 16 pictures.
Doncic acquired therapy for his sickness after the sport and didn’t speak to reporters.
“Hopefully, no matter’s happening, he is feeling higher on Sunday,” mentioned Lakers coach JJ Redick. “I imply, I am unable to (diagnose him). I am not a health care provider.”
Doncic nonetheless leads the Lakers with 28.3 factors per recreation within the sequence. James is subsequent with 26.0 factors per recreation and Austin Reaves rounds out the highest three scorers with 17.3 factors per recreation whereas taking pictures 32.0 p.c from 3-point vary, beneath his regular-season mark of 37.7.
Edwards is the Timberwolves’ high scorer with 25.3 factors per recreation. Three different gamers are scoring in double digits: Julius Randle (21.7), Jaden McDaniels (21.0) and Reid (14.3).
For the Lakers to come back again, they should reduce down on turnovers. They’re averaging 19.7 assists and 15.3 turnovers per recreation within the sequence, whereas the Timberwolves are averaging 22.3 assists and 11.3 turnovers.
“Within the postseason, clearly you are not going to play an ideal recreation,” James mentioned. “However the extra that you just make errors on high of errors, on high of errors — issues that may be managed — then it isn’t going to offer you a chance to be in the very best likelihood to win.”
–Subject Stage Media