Julius Randle scored 18 points and Rudy Gobert had 17 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Timberwolves past the Lakers 109-80 on Monday night. (GV Wire Composite/Paul Marshall)
- Randle and Gobert lead Timberwolves' balanced attack, combining for 35 points and 12 rebounds in dominant win.
- LeBron James and Anthony Davis struggle offensively, combining for just 22 points on 8-for-32 shooting against tough Wolves defense.
- Timberwolves excel in transition and from beyond the arc, hitting 15 three-pointers and scoring 20 fast-break points in the rout.
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MINNEAPOLIS — Julius Randle scored 18 points and Rudy Gobert had 17 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves past the Los Angeles Lakers 109-80 on Monday night.
Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker each scored 15 for the Wolves (10-10), who limited the Lakers to their lowest point total since a 122-73 loss at Dallas in 2017, according to Sportradar.
Anthony Edwards had only eight points on 3-for-13 shooting for the Wolves, but his Olympic teammates LeBron James and Anthony Davis were just as quiet for the Lakers (12-9).
James, who has missed 19 straight 3-pointers, had 10 points on 4-for-16 shooting. Davis had 12 points and 11 rebounds. D’Angelo Russell scored 20 in his return from illness to the starting lineup.
After beating Utah 105-104 on Sunday, the Lakers traveled another time zone east to face a team they beat 110-103 in the season opener behind 36 points and 16 rebounds from Davis.
Related Story: Davis Scores 33, LeBron Takes Over Late as Lakers Hold Off Jazz
Up Next
The Lakers play at the Miami Heat on Wednesday, when the Wolves visit the Los Angeles Clippers.
Lakers Struggle on Both Ends
Lakers: Rookie coach J.J. Redick assessed his team at the quarter mark of the season as “uneven and inconsistent.” The Lakers’ fifth loss in their last seven games didn’t even clear that bar.
Related Story: Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant Return From Injury, Lead Suns Past Lakers
Timberwolves Excel in Key Areas
Timberwolves: With the defense locked in, Minnesota’s other priorities are reviving its transition game and 3-point shooting. Both boxes were checked. The Timberwolves went 15 for 35 from deep and had 20 fast-break points.
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Gobert’s Defensive Impact
Gobert, the four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, was plenty disruptive against Davis and the Lakers. Gobert stole an inbounds pass from Max Christie for a rare fast-break dunk late in the third.
Timberwolves’ Defensive Prowess
The Wolves held their opponent under 100 points for the second straight game and fourth this season. In 2023-24, when they led the league in scoring defense, they held opponents to double digits 23 times.
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