Shorthanded Lakers drop must-win game against Timberwolves

The Lakers were in another must win game at Crypto.com Arena, as they took on the Minnesota Timberwolves. Although the Lakers were off a back-to-back, every game is immense to where they fall in the standings. 

The Lakers would have to continue their surge without LeBron James, who missed the western conference showdown due to illness.

The purple and gold jumped in front early, but after a disastrous second quarter, the Lakers were never really in the game Sunday night and lost 127-117.

With 25 seconds left in the first quarter, Anthony Davis got hit in the eye by Kyle Anderson on his way to a put-back. The same eye that has been giving Davis problems these past few weeks.

The brow would miss the remainder of the game, at which point the Lakers were clinging on to a 4-point lead. 

With Davis out in the second quarter, the Lakers were outscored 46-27 and the game was never close beyond that point.

On top of the Lakers having to finish the game without their two best players, Timberwolves forward Naz Reid finished with a game high 31 points. An unlikely hero given the plethora of stars the Timberwolves have at their disposal.

Being 2nd in the NBA in points in the paint, the Lakers also lost the battle inside which is never a good sign given that’s the Lakers’ bread and butter.

With this Loss, the Lakers now drop back into the 9 spot after a short stint at 8th. Finishing in a play in spot could mean the Lakers face the Timberwolves in the first round.

After the loss against Minnesota, D’Angelo Russell was asked about how these losses to a team differs to when you play that same team in the playoffs.

“You definitely have to take it into consideration, the playoffs add a different element to it, different variables, it’s a young team, they play hard, well coached…so whoever we match up with we go full force.”

Russell added how experience plays a factor in a playoff environment. “It’s experience vs inexperience in the playoffs that gets you over the hump.”

With that sentiment being true, the Lakers would prefer to play a younger team in the playoffs and Minnesota may be a preferable opponent versus the likes of Denver.

The Lakers will face a very experienced group when they play the Golden State Warriors in their next contest on Tuesday. Another game critical to cementing their position in the playoffs.

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