The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Los Angeles Lakers, 116-104, in Game 3 on Friday night at the Target Center in Minneapolis, taking a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference first-round playoff series.
Anthony Edwards led sixth-seeded Minnesota with 29 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Jaden McDaniel had a career-high 30 points for Minnesota. Their performances helped offset an impressive night from Lakers star LeBron James.
James led the third-seeded Lakers with 38 points and 10 rebounds. Luka Doncic, apparently suffering from an upset stomach, pitched in 17 points, eight assists and seven rebounds.
The Lakers tied the score at 103 with 4:37 left on a basket from Doncic.
From there, the Timberwolves finished the game with a 13-1 run.
Game 4 will be played Sunday in Minnesota before the best-of-seven series returns to Los Angeles on Wednesday for Game 5.
In Game 1, the Timberwolves won 117-95. The Lakers rallied in Game 2 with a 95-84 victory.
USA TODAY Sports provided updates and highlights from Game 3 of the NBA playoff series between the Timberwolves and Lakers:
LeBron scores most points for 40-year-old in playoff game
Lakers forward LeBron James has added his name to another category in the records book.
The veteran superstar scored his 35thpoint in Game 3 against the Timberwolves on a 3-pointer midway through the fourth quarter, producing the highest scoring performance by a 40-year-old player in a playoff game.
James scored 22 points in the first half of the game. It was his 100th career 20-point half in the postseason.
Lakers great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar previously held the record, after scoring 32 points in Game 6 of the 1987 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics. Former Laker Karl Malone scored 30 points against the Houston Rockets on April 25, 2004. — James Williams
3Q: Timberwolves 86, Lakers 84
It’s nip and tuck.
Neither team has led by more than five points in the second half. Doncic might have more life than expected. He hit another long 3 at the end of the quarter and now has 13 points and eight assists. James has cooled off, managing only five points in the quarter, but still has a game-high 27.
The Timberwolves were scrappy, capitalized on some hustle plays and also warmed up from 3-point range.
Where’s Luka Doncic?
Running late, presumably because of his upset stomach. Gabe Vincent started the second half in his place, but Doncic checked in with 11:11 left in the third quarter and about 40 seconds later delivered his sixth assist of the night.
Halftime: Lakers 58, Timberwolves 54
The 40-year-old LeBron James is turning back the clock again. In the first half, he had 22 points on 9-of-12 shooting along with six rebounds and a couple of assists.
Trailing by as many as nine points in the first quarter, the Lakers surged back thanks largely to James.
His sterling performance was especially timely with Doncic suffering from “an upset stomach and low energy,’’ according to ESPN’s Lisa Salters. Doncic has looked sluggish with eight points on 3-of-9 shooting and missed his first four 3s.
His first successful 3 came with 5.7 seconds in the half and gave the Lakers a 58-54 lead. Lakers guard Austin Reaves has four 3-pointers and 14 points.
The Timberwolves aren’t exactly rolling over.
Julius Randle and Jaden McDaniels have 14 apiece. Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards has 12 but has yet to show his dominance.
The Lakers finally have found an offensive rhythm after struggles in Game 1 and 2. They’re shooting 52.4 percent (22-of-42) from the floor and 42.9 percent (9-of-21) from 3-point range.
1Q: Timberwolves 32, Lakers 26
The Timberwolves trailed after the first quarter in Games 1 and 2. That trend has ended.
Minnesota made its first six shots and rode an 11-0 run to a 15-7 lead. The Lakers clawed back, pulling within a point. But soon enough the Timberwolves were off and running again.
Jaden McDaniels and Julius Randle led Minnesota with eight points apiece. LeBron James and Austin Reaves led Los Angeles with six points each.
ESPN’s Lisa Salters reported that Luka Doncic has “an upset stomach and low energy.’’ In the first quarter, Doncic was 1-for-6 shooting for two points.
Lakers’ starting five
- Rui Hachimura
- LeBron James
- Jaxson Hayes
- Austin Reaves
- Luka Doncic
Timberwolves’ starting five
- Mike Conley
- Anthony Edwards
- Jaden McDaniels
- Julius Randle
- Rudy Gobert
What time is Lakers vs. Timberwolves Friday?
Game 3 of the NBA first-round playoff series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves is set to start at 9:30 p.m. ET at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
How to watch Lakers vs. Timberwolves NBA playoff game: TV, stream
- Time: 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT
- Location: Target Center (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
- TV: ESPN
- Stream: Fubo, ESPN+, YouTube TV
Watch Lakers vs. Timberwolves Game 3 on Fubo