LOS ANGELES — Sunday night was full of optimism for the Lakers, who had a chance to get back into the 8th seed.
But LeBron James was deemed out because of flu-like symptoms. Then, Anthony Davis left in the first half after suffering an eye injury.
The result was the Minnesota Timberwolves taking control of the game in the second period (46-27), en route 127-117 over the Lakers.
The Lakers (45-34) remained in the ninth seed, which translates into an opening home game in play-in tournament. The sixth seed is still possible with the Phoenix Suns (46-32) sitting 1 1/2 games ahead.
Davis got hit in the eye after a powerful putback jam near the end of the first period.
Above the crowd 〰️ pic.twitter.com/6L8IwWMM4B
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 8, 2024
The Wolves took advantage with the paint being a little less menacing. Naz Reid (who also had a huge performance in their previous meeting) had it going again.
Minnesota took an 84-64 lead, but Los Angeles sliced deficit to five with Jaxson Hayes dunking all over the place. The Lakers ran out of gas, though, as the Wolves were able to bring the lead back up. Reid made a three-point play to put it back to a 20-point game. And it was curtains for the Lakers.
The Lakers didn’t shoot terribly overall, but their starting backcourt had subpar shooting games. D’Angelo Russell was 5 for 19 (.263) and Austin Reaves went 4 for 14 (.286).
Rui Hachimura did have an excellent shooting night (11 for 17, .643) and led Los Angeles with 30 points while Spencer Dinwiddie scored 18 in seven shots. Jaxson Hayes had 19 points, 10 boards, and five steals off the bench.
Reid led the Wolves with 31 points and 11 rebounds. Anthony Edwards went for 26 points and 8 rebounds while Rudy Gobert stood tall in the middle with 18 points and 16 boards.
The Lakers will play their final regular-season home game against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday in a game that will be all about the seeding. The 10th-seeded Warriors are 1 1/2 games behind the Lakers with the ninth seed and home-court advantage at stake.
