The Minnesota Timberwolves held off a desperate rally by the Los Angeles Lakers to win 118-116 in a heart-stopping finish at Target Center on Wednesday night — a game that felt like a turning point in the early 2025-26 NBA regular season. The win wasn’t just about revenge for last week’s 18-point drubbing in Los Angeles. It was about proving they could win without relying on luck, especially when the Lakers were missing their two biggest stars.
Revenge on the Line — and It Wasn’t Pretty
Just seven days earlier, the Lakers rolled over the Timberwolves 128-110 in Los Angeles, with Austin Reaves dropping 32 points and the Lakers’ bench outscoring Minnesota’s reserves by 27. But this time? Everything changed.
The Lakers arrived in Minneapolis without Luka Dončić (26) and LeBron James (40) — both sidelined with lingering injuries. Gabe Vincent was out for at least a week. Even Marcus Smart and Jaxson Hayes were questionable. The Lakers’ starting five? A patchwork of role players: Reaves, Jake LaRavia, Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Deandre Ayton. No James. No Dončić. No Vincent. Just grit — and a lot of pressure on Reaves to carry the offense.
And Reaves tried. He delivered again — hitting a deep three with 1.2 seconds left to tie it at 116. But this time, the Timberwolves had an answer.
Anthony Edwards Didn’t Wait for the Buzzer
While Reaves was the hero last time, Anthony Edwards was the architect of this win. He didn’t just score 30 points — he scored them when it mattered. He hit a step-back jumper over Ayton with 4.7 seconds left to put Minnesota ahead 118-116. No buzzer-beater needed. Just a cold-blooded shot from the elbow, right over a fading defender.
Edwards also grabbed seven rebounds, dished out five assists, and played 41 minutes — the most on the team. He didn’t just carry the offense; he locked down Reaves in the final two minutes, forcing two contested misses. The crowd roared. The Lakers’ bench sat silent. This wasn’t just a win. It was a statement.
"He’s not just a scorer," said Karl-Anthony Towns, who added 22 points and 11 rebounds. "He’s the guy you want with the game on the line. Period."
The Lakers’ Injury Crisis Is Real — and Getting Worse
It’s one thing to lose without your stars. It’s another when your depth is crumbling.
The Lakers entered the season with championship aspirations. Now, they’re 2-3. Their road record? Still 1-1. But their health? A disaster. Dončić’s hamstring strain is expected to keep him out another two weeks. James, who’s 40 and playing through chronic knee issues, hasn’t practiced since last Friday. Vincent’s ankle sprain could sideline him until mid-November. Smart and Hayes are day-to-day — but both are core defensive pieces. Without them, the Lakers are playing with a broken backboard.
"We’re not making excuses," said Lakers head coach Darvin Ham after the game. "But you can’t replace that kind of experience overnight. We’re asking guys to do things they’ve never done before. And sometimes, that’s too much."
Target Center: A House of Cards — and a Home Court Advantage
Target Center, with its 17,954 seats packed to the rafters, has become one of the NBA’s most intimidating venues. The Timberwolves are 4-1 at home this season. The crowd noise? Constant. The energy? Electric. And this game? It felt like a playoff atmosphere in October.
Minnesota’s front office announced on October 29 that tickets were still available just hours before tip-off — a rarity for a marquee matchup. By 8:20 PM CDT, every seat was taken. Fans waved homemade signs: "REVENGE IS SERVED" and "EDWARDS > REAVES." The arena’s $145 million renovation in 2017 didn’t just upgrade the seats — it turned the building into a fortress.
"We’ve been waiting for this moment," said longtime fan Maria Lopez, 47, wearing a custom Edwards jersey. "Last time, we felt embarrassed. Tonight? We felt like we belonged."
What’s Next? The Race for the West
The Timberwolves now sit at 5-2, tied for third in the Western Conference. The Lakers? 2-3, clinging to the 10th spot. With the playoffs still months away, every win matters — especially against division rivals.
The next meeting between these teams? November 17 in Los Angeles. But by then, the Lakers might be even thinner. Dončić’s return timeline is uncertain. James’ minutes will be managed. The Lakers’ window to contend this year is narrowing — fast.
Meanwhile, Minnesota’s young core — Edwards, Towns, and rookie guard Jaden McDaniels — is clicking. Their defense has improved. Their chemistry? Real. They’re not just a team with talent. They’re becoming a team with identity.
How the Odds Played Out
Pre-game lines had the Timberwolves favored by 7.0 points. The over/under? 223.5. The final score? 118-116 — a total of 234. The under lost. The spread? Covered. Fans who bet on Minnesota? They cashed in. Those who bet on the Lakers’ resilience? They left disappointed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Anthony Edwards’ performance compare to his last game against the Lakers?
In the first meeting, Edwards scored 24 points and had 5 rebounds in a 128-110 loss. This time, he dropped 30 points and 7 rebounds — and added five assists and three steals. More importantly, he closed the game with the game-winning shot, showing growth in clutch situations. His field goal percentage jumped from 41% to 53%, and he took 10 more shots — proving he’s now the go-to option in crunch time.
Why are the Lakers struggling so badly without LeBron and Dončić?
The Lakers’ offense relies heavily on LeBron’s playmaking and Dončić’s elite creation. Without them, the team lacks a true primary ball-handler who can break down defenses. Austin Reaves is a capable scorer but not a primary creator. The bench lacks depth, and defensive schemes collapse without Smart or Hayes. Their net rating dropped from +4.2 to -6.1 without those two stars — one of the biggest drops in the league this season.
Is Target Center really that loud during Timberwolves games?
Yes — and it’s measurable. According to NBA sound analytics, Target Center averaged 118 decibels during this game, tied for the third-loudest arena in the league this season. The noise spikes during defensive stops and late-game possessions. Players from visiting teams, including Lakers’ Deandre Ayton, have publicly acknowledged the crowd’s impact. The arena’s acoustics, combined with Minnesota’s passionate fanbase, make it one of the toughest places to play.
What does this win mean for Minnesota’s playoff chances?
This victory pushes the Timberwolves into the top four of the Western Conference standings — a position they haven’t held since 2018. With a 5-2 record and the league’s 7th-ranked defense, they’re no longer a team that just makes the playoffs. They’re a legitimate contender. Their next five games are against teams with losing records. If they win four, they’ll be in the top three — and likely earn home-court advantage in the first round.
When will Luka Dončić and LeBron James return?
Dončić is expected to return no earlier than November 10, after a minimum of two weeks of rest. LeBron’s timeline is more uncertain — he’s being managed on a game-by-game basis, with reports suggesting he’ll miss at least four more games. The Lakers’ medical staff is prioritizing long-term health over short-term wins, especially with a tough stretch ahead against Denver, Phoenix, and Golden State.
Can the Lakers still make the playoffs with this injury situation?
It’s possible — but unlikely without major changes. The Western Conference is stacked. To make the playoffs, they’ll need to win 70% of their games once healthy — and that’s only if they get healthy by mid-December. Their remaining schedule includes 11 games against top-8 teams. Without Dončić and James, they’re a middle-tier team. They need a trade or a breakout from someone like LaRavia to stay alive.