Anthony Davis grabbed the ball after it swished through the net and, in a rare display of frustration, slammed his head against it. It was an action that perfectly encapsulated the night for the Los Angeles Lakers—a game filled with misfires, turnovers, and offensive struggles. The Lakers, still without LeBron James due to a sore foot, found themselves once again fighting an uphill battle. This time, it was against the Minnesota Timberwolves, a team that had already embarrassed them on the offensive end just 11 days earlier.
The Lakers’ woes continued in Minnesota, a place that had become synonymous with their struggles. Back on Dec. 2, the Lakers had suffered one of their worst offensive performances in years, scoring only 80 points. On Friday night, they managed only a marginal improvement, losing 97-87. Despite their defensive efforts, their offense remained stagnant, plagued by missed shots and careless turnovers.
Frustration Boils Over
Davis’ frustration was understandable. The ball, almost mocking in its refusal to cooperate, slipped through his hands for yet another turnover, leading to an easy three-pointer for Minnesota. It was the kind of mistake that had haunted the Lakers all night. “I think we did enough defensively,” Davis said postgame. “Just didn’t do enough offensively.”
Indeed, their defensive effort was commendable, but basketball is a two-sided game. On offense, the Lakers simply couldn’t find their rhythm. They missed three after three and repeatedly handed the ball over to the Timberwolves. In total, the Lakers committed 21 turnovers—matching their turnover count from their earlier loss to Minnesota.
Coach JJ Redick’s Take
Lakers coach JJ Redick didn’t hold back when analyzing the team’s struggles. “Some passes we tried to fit through tight windows,” Redick explained. “Never want to inbound the ball to the other team after a made field goal and give up a dunk. Some of it was not holding our positioning and timing our physicality to get open. … Yeah, killed us.”
This marked the third matchup between the Lakers and Timberwolves this season, and in those three games, the Lakers had shot an abysmal 21-for-96 from beyond the arc. The lack of shooting accuracy was glaring, and the inability to capitalize on open looks only added to their frustrations.
Austin Reaves’ Return
There was a glimmer of hope with the return of Austin Reaves, playing his first game in five outings. Reaves contributed 18 points and showed flashes of his usual self. However, even he acknowledged his role in the team’s disorganization early in the game. “I think a lot of that [in] the first quarter was my fault. Not having us organized,” Reaves admitted. “Not being on the court the last two weeks, I thought left a little indecision in my mind with some stuff that we could have been doing. So I got to be better there.”
Davis led the Lakers with 23 points, a performance that might have been enough on another night. But on this particular evening, even his contributions couldn’t overcome the team’s broader offensive deficiencies.
Key Misses in the Clutch
One of the most frustrating sequences came in the fourth quarter when D’Angelo Russell missed all four of his attempts, including three open three-pointers. It was emblematic of the Lakers’ night—opportunities squandered, momentum never seized.
Redick summed up the team’s struggles aptly: “I think there’s control of the game that you can take or relinquish. And it felt like they had control of the game. Anytime we got close to sort of being able to be in a position where we could potentially regain control, we kind of shot ourselves in the foot.”
The LeBron Factor
Adding to the Lakers’ woes was the absence of LeBron James. The 39-year-old superstar, listed as out with a left foot injury, had also been away from the team for “personal reasons,” according to Redick. When asked about James’ potential return, Redick admitted he didn’t know.
James’ injury initially appeared on the Lakers’ report following a loss to Miami. While he played the next game in Atlanta, he missed his first game of the season against Portland last Sunday. With the Lakers eliminated from the NBA Cup, the team’s schedule now includes just three games over a 13-day span. This break could provide James with a rare midseason opportunity to recover physically and mentally as he navigates his 22nd NBA season.
Looking Ahead
The Lakers’ next test comes against the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday, followed by a trip to Sacramento on Thursday. These games will be critical for the Lakers to find some semblance of offensive rhythm and avoid falling further behind in the standings.
Key Takeaways from the Game
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Turnovers Galore: Matching their season-high of 21 turnovers, the Lakers gave Minnesota plenty of easy scoring opportunities.
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Poor Shooting: The team’s inability to convert open looks, particularly from three-point range, remains a significant issue.
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Defensive Positives: Despite their offensive struggles, the Lakers’ defense kept them in the game, showcasing the team’s resilience.
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Austin Reaves’ Return: While Reaves’ comeback provided a boost, his own admission of disorganization highlights the need for collective improvement.
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LeBron’s Absence: The team clearly misses their leader, and his return will be crucial for any turnaround.
For a team with championship aspirations, the Lakers have a lot to figure out. Whether it’s refining their offensive execution, managing turnovers, or regaining their shooting touch, they’ll need to address these issues quickly. The road ahead is challenging, but with LeBron’s return on the horizon and the defensive foundation they’ve built, there’s still hope for a brighter outcome.
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