MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Anthony Edwards scored 23 points and the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Los Angeles Lakers 97-87 on Friday night.
Julius Randle added 21 points and Jaden McDaniels scored 18 for Minnesota, which won for the fifth time in six games. Rudy Gobert had a game-high 13 rebounds to go with 12 points.
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Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis reacts after missing a basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) and Los Angeles Lakers center Christian Koloko (10) run to gain possession of the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker, top, looks to pass the ball as Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) works toward the basket as Los Angeles Lakers center Christian Koloko (10) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) shoots over Los Angeles Lakers guard Max Christie (12) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick, right, talks with forward Anthony Davis (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) works toward the basket as Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) reacts after making a basket and being fouled during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
The Timberwolves are 14-2 against the Lakers at home since the 2015-16 season, including four straight wins.
Anthony Davis led Los Angeles with 23 points and 11 rebounds, but the Lakers lost for the eighth time in 11 games. Austin Reaves scored 18 points in his first game back after missing five games with a left pelvic contusion, and Max Christie added 15.
Los Angeles had 21 turnovers.
LeBron James missed his second straight game for the Lakers with left foot soreness and was also was away from the team this week due to “personal reasons.” Coach JJ Redick said pregame he has no sense of when James will return.
Lakers: In its past 11 games, Los Angeles is averaging 103.3 points, while allowing its opponents to score an average of 113.7 points.
Timberwolves: Defense had been Minnesota’s forte during its recent success. Los Angeles shot just 38.4%, the third time in four games a Timberwolves foe failed to reach 40%. In Minnesota’s past five wins, no opponent has topped 92 points.
Mike Conley missed a 3-pointer for Minnesota and Rui Hachimura got the rebound for Los Angeles. However, he had the ball stolen by Randle who quickly fed McDaniels for a layup and an 89-82 lead with 2:03 left.
Averaging 37.5% from deep, Minnesota was just 9 for 32 (28.1%) from 3. The Lakers were 10 of 35 (28.6%) on long-range shooting.
The Lakers are home against the Grizzlies and the Timberwolves head to the Spurs on Sunday.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis reacts after missing a basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) and Los Angeles Lakers center Christian Koloko (10) run to gain possession of the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker, top, looks to pass the ball as Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) works toward the basket as Los Angeles Lakers center Christian Koloko (10) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) shoots over Los Angeles Lakers guard Max Christie (12) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick, right, talks with forward Anthony Davis (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) works toward the basket as Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) reacts after making a basket and being fouled during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
