Lakers play catch-up in preseason loss to Timberwolves.
The Lakers fall to the Timberwolves 118–113, playing catch-up for the majority of the game, despite a high-energy second half, dropping their fourth game in the five preseason games they’ve played.
The ugliness of tonight’s loss came from three for Los Angeles, shooting just 26% from behind the arc on 10-for-39 total from deep.
“Offensively, we weren’t hitting. We weren’t making shots, but we were getting good looks, which makes it even more frustrating,” head coach Darvin Ham said.
The turnover battle was completely lopsided for the Lakers, turning the ball over 20 times to the Timberwolves' 12 turnovers. The Lakers' starters finished with the same number of turnovers as Minnesota, with 12.
The Lakers’ starting lineup vs. the Timberwolves from 1 to 5 tonight consisted of:
Russell Westbrook(PG)
Lonnie Walker IV (SG)
Patrick Beverly (SF)
LeBron James (PF)
Anthony Davis (C)
The Lakers’ starters accounted for 71 of the team’s 113 points, shooting 25–for–45 (55%) from the floor and 4-for-16 (25%) from behind the arc.
LeBron James led the way with a game-high 25 points on 2-for-4 (50%) shooting from behind the arc and a 9-for-12 (75%) shooting total from the field, adding 11 rebounds and 3 assists in 24 minutes played.
“I think we had some really good moments. I thought at the start of the second half we did a good job of playing the type of basketball that we want to play,” LeBron said.
Anthony Davis had another solid preseason outing, showing his presence every time he touched the floor with another double-double stat line with 19 points and 13 rebounds in tonight’s loss.
“At the end of the day, I want to win,” Davis said.
Davis finished second on the team with 19 points and 13 rebounds in 27 minutes played tonight, shooting 63% from the floor on 7-of-11 shooting overall.
Midway into the 3rd quarter, Lonnie Walker suffered a fluke ankle injury after teammate Patrick Beverly landed on Walker’s left ankle, causing Walker to head to the locker room where he was announced he wouldn’t return with a high ankle sprain.
After the game, Darvin Ham said Walker had a “mildly” sprained left ankle, and he’ll be re-evaluated tomorrow for further results, making things seem positive for the regular season next week.
In 18 minutes, Walker IV finished with 12 points on 45% shooting from the floor, adding 3 rebounds and one assist.
Juan Toscano-Anderson didn’t play tonight due to a bruised lower back that resulted from a fall on the court on Sunday against the Warriors. He’ll be evaluated tomorrow before determining his status for Friday’s preseason finale.
With the number of minutes played for the Lakers’ starters and big-3, it looks as though they won't be playing in their preseason finale against the Kings this Friday.
The Lakers will play their final preseason game on Friday against the Sacramento Kings at 7 PM on ESPN.
