**Lakers Dominate Timberwolves 128-110 in LeBron James’ Absence**
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers secured a convincing 128-110 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night, despite missing their superstar LeBron James. The matchup marked the second meeting between the teams this season and was a rematch of last year’s first-round playoff series.
Luka Doncic was the star of the night, delivering an outstanding performance with 49 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists. The Lakers showcased their offensive prowess by shooting an impressive 59.2% from the field.
### Early Timberwolves Lead Fades Quickly
The Timberwolves started strong, building a double-digit lead in the first quarter. They executed a fast-paced game plan, pushing the ball aggressively after makes and misses, which helped them settle into an early rhythm. Minnesota raced out to a 28-17 lead by hitting 11 of their first 14 shots.
Anthony Edwards led the Wolves’ offense with 31 points, while Julius Randle contributed 26. Despite their early success, the Timberwolves’ defense struggled to contain the Lakers, especially when Doncic was on the floor.
### Lakers Rally in Second Quarter
With Doncic resting on the bench during the second quarter, the Timberwolves’ defensive issues became more evident, as the Lakers clawed back to erase the double-digit deficit and tied the game at 60. The Lakers took a 68-63 lead into halftime with Doncic already tallying 32 points.
### Lakers Extend Lead in Second Half
The third quarter painted a stark picture for Minnesota. After allowing Portland to score 95 points by the end of three quarters earlier in the week, the Wolves gave up an even more daunting 108 points to the Lakers through three quarters on Friday.
Defensive lapses were plentiful, with late rotations, open shooters, and frequent falls for pump fakes. The Lakers kept the pressure on, extending their lead to 14 points early in the fourth quarter.
### Impact of LeBron’s Absence
LeBron James, 40, sat out due to a nerve injury that could keep him sidelined for Wednesday’s game against Minnesota at the Target Center. Without him, Doncic has taken on a heavy offensive load, following up his 43-point debut against Golden State with Friday’s dominant 49-point outing.
### Supporting Cast Steps Up
The Lakers received strong contributions beyond Doncic. Austin Reaves, who the Wolves had limited effectively in the playoffs last season, scored 25 points and provided 11 assists. Rui Hachimura also impressed, scoring 23 points on a highly efficient 10-for-13 shooting.
### Timberwolves’ Rotation and Dillingham’s Debut
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch continued his deep rotation, using 10 players throughout the game. Second-year guard Rob Dillingham, the No. 8 pick in the 2024 NBA draft, was initially left out of the rotation. Finch opted to use Bones Hyland for backup point guard minutes when Mike Conley picked up three first-half fouls. Hyland contributed nine points off the bench, with Jaylen Clark adding another nine.
Dillingham finally got his first minutes of the season with the Wolves trailing 117-98 and just over eight minutes remaining. Unfortunately, his night was cut short after only 59 seconds due to a bloody nose.
### Doncic’s Masterclass
No matter the defensive assignment—be it Jaden McDaniels, Jaylen Clark, or Anthony Edwards—Doncic consistently found open shots, drew fouls, or set up teammates for easy baskets. His masterful performance left the Wolves powerless to stop him and was the defining factor in the Lakers’ dominant win.
The Timberwolves are now 1-1 on the West Coast trip and will return home for their season opener against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Lakers look to continue their strong start as they prepare for upcoming matchups without LeBron James.
https://www.startribune.com/takeaways-lakers-flatten-timberwolves-as-luka-doncic-scores-49-points/601461891