CONTACT US

Contact Form

    News Details

    Lakers work OT to beat Timberwolves, advance to face Grizzlies in first-round series
    • April 12, 2023

    Lakers forward LeBron James attempts a layup in front of Minnesota Timberwolves forward Karl-Anthony Towns during play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

    Lakers forward Anthony Davis drives as Minnesota Timberwolves forward Karl-Anthony Towns defends during the first half of their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, right, drives past Lakers forward LeBron James (6) and forward Jarred Vanderbilt (2) on his way to the basket during the first half of their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    Lakers forward LeBron James dunks over Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley, left, during the first half of their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, left, shoots over Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt during the first half of their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    Lakers forward Troy Brown Jr. (7) grabs a loose ball next to Minnesota Timberwolves forward Taurean Prince (12) and Lakers forward Anthony Davis, top, during the first half of their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    Lakers star LeBron James argues a call with referee Tyler Ford during the first half of their play-in game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

    Lakers star LeBron James reacts to an official’s call against the Lakers during the first half of their play-in game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

    Minnesota Timberwolves forward Karl-Anthony Towns (32) shoots from between Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell (1), forward LeBron James (6), guard Austin Reaves (15) and forward Jarred Vanderbilt (2) during the first half of their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    Minnesota Timberwolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns reacts after scoring during the first half of their play-in game against the Lakers on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    Lakers forward Anthony Davis, right, blocks a shot by Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jordan McLaughlin during the first half of their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    Lakers forward Anthony Davis scores on a breakaway dunk during the first half of their play-in game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, left, shoots over Lakers forward LeBron James (6) during the first half of their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell, right, drives as Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards defends during the first half of their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    The Minnesota Timberwolves’ Kyle Anderson reacts as he collides with Lakers forward Rui Hachimura while driving to the basket during the first half of their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

    Lakers guard Austin Reaves scores past Minnesota Timberwolves forward Taurean Prince (12) during the first half of their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    Lakers forward LeBron James blocks a shot by the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Kyle Anderson during the first half of their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

    Lakers forward Anthony Davis, center, is defended by Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (1), forward Kyle Anderson and forward center Karl-Anthony Towns, right, during the first half of their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    Lakers forward Anthony Davis, right, reaches for the ball next to Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, left, and forward Kyle Anderson during the first half of their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    Lakers forward LeBron James gestures during the first half of their play-in victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley shoots in front of Lakers guard Austin Reaves during the first half of their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    Lakers star LeBron James talks with Anthony Davis during the first half of their play-in game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

    Lakers forward Anthony Davis grabs a rebound in front of Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kyle Anderson during the second half of their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley shoots over Lakers forward Anthony Davis during the second half of their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns, left, shoots past Lakers forward Troy Brown Jr. during the second half of their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    Lakers guard Dennis Schroder shoots as Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns defends during the second half of their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns dribbles past Lakers forward LeBron James during the second half of their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    Lakers star Anthony Davis scores in front of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Taurean Prince during their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

    Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns shoot over Lakers forward Anthony Davis during the second half of their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    Lakers forward LeBron James reacts after scoring during the second half of their play-in game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards drives past Lakers forward LeBron James, right, and forward Jarred Vanderbilt during the second half of their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    Lakers guard Dennis Schroder attempts a layup between the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns, left, and Kyle Anderson during their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

    Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns passes next to Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) during the second half of their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    The Lakers’ Anthony Davis shoots past Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kyle Anderson (5) during the second half of their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards shoots as Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt defends during the second half of their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    Minnesota Timberwolves forward Taurean Prince celebrates after making a 3-point shot during the second half of their play-in game against the Lakers on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    Lakers forward LeBron James looks to pass the ball from under the basket as Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns, center left, defends during the second half of their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley, left, makes a 3-point shot over Lakers forward Anthony Davis during the second half of their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    Lakers star Anthony Davis grabs a rebound in front of Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley during their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

    Lakers star Anthony Davis reacts to a foul call during their play-in game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

    Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns, left, dribbles past Lakers forward Troy Brown Jr. during the second half of their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    Lakers forward Anthony Davis dunks during the second half of their play-in game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    Minnesota Timberwolves forward Taurean Prince dribbles past Lakers forward LeBron James during the second half of their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    Lakers forward LeBron James, right, blocks a shot by Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jordan McLaughlin during the second half of their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker, left, grabs a rebound next to Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) during the second half of their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    Lakers forward LeBron James dives for a loose ball against Minnesota Timberwolves forward Taurean Prince during the second half of their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    Lakers forward LeBron James dives for a loose ball in front of Minnesota Timberwolves forward Taurean Prince during the second half of their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    Lakers star LeBron James reacts with Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch during their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

    Lakers forward Anthony Davis celebrates next to Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kyle Anderson after a turnover by the Timberwolves during the second half of their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    Lakers guard Dennis Schroder, left, makes a tiebreaking 3-point shot off an assist from LeBron James, right, with 1.4 seconds left in the fourth quarter of their play-in game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    Lakers guard Dennis Schroder celebrates in front of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ bench after making a go-ahead 3-point shot with 1.4 seconds left in the fourth quarter of their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    Lakers star LeBron James celebrates a go-ahead 3-pointer by teammate Dennis Schroder, not pictured, with 1.4 seconds left in regulation of their play-in game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

    Lakers forward LeBron James celebrates after teammate Dennis Schroder made a go-ahead 3-point shot with 1.4 seconds left in the fourth quarter of their play-in game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley, left, is fouled by Lakers forward Anthony Davis on a 3-point shot in the final second of regulation in their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. Conley made his three free throws to tie the score and force overtime. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley, left, is fouled by Lakers forward Anthony Davis on a 3-point shot in the final second of regulation in their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. Conley made his three free throws to tie the score and force overtime. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    Lakers star Anthony Davis, left, reacts to teammate LeBron James after Davis was called for a foul on Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley with less than one second left in regulation, resulting in three free throws to force overtime in their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

    Lakers star Anthony Davis, left, reacts to teammate LeBron James after Davis was called for a foul on Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley with less than one second left in regulation, resulting in three free throws to force overtime in their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

    Lakers guard Dennis Schroder drives to the basket in front of Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley, left, and Karl-Anthony Towns during their play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

    Lakers star LeBron James reacts during the final seconds of their 108-102 overtime victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in a play-in game on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

    of

    Expand

    LOS ANGELES — A raucous, roaring sellout crowd welcomed the Lakers back to the postseason on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. The fans turned the arena electric at times, no doubt imagining their voices igniting another of those extended playoff runs that once were spring rites of passage.

    The short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves nearly spoiled the celebration, pushing the Lakers to the brink. The Lakers capitalized on the energy of their fans before it was too late and seized a 108-102 overtime victory that sent them into the first round of the playoffs as the Western Conference’s seventh-seeded team, something that seemed all but unattainable a few months ago.

    The Lakers will play the second-seeded Memphis Grizzlies in a best-of-seven series, with Game 1 on Sunday at noon PT in Memphis.

    The Lakers were 2-1 against the Grizzlies during the regular season, winning both games at Crypto.com Arena and losing once at FedExForum in Memphis. The Grizzlies will have home-court advantage for the first playoff series between the two franchises.

    LeBron James called the Grizzlies “a really good team, very well-coached.” He then listed the strengths of their rotation players one by one in an extended analysis of the Lakers’ first-round opponent, pausing after several minutes to add, “Obviously, I haven’t thought about Memphis one minute.”

    James was joking, of course.

    No team in the three-year history of the play-in tournament has won a first-round series, so the odds were stacked against Tuesday’s winner. Neither the Lakers nor the Timberwolves played the kind of game that might lead anyone to think they could become the first to break through.

    Minnesota was the better, more consistent, team for most of the game despite playing without two starters in their lineup. The Timberwolves led by as many as 15 points in the third quarter before the Lakers rallied behind Anthony Davis, James and backup guard Dennis Schröder.

    “The crowd definitely got us back into it,” Davis said. “Having the crowd behind us, it was fun. This is what you dream about playing in Crypto, and just allowing the crowd to do their thing and getting the other team rattled and giving us a little more energy to go on runs.”

    James’ 3-pointer with 2:02 left in regulation pulled the Lakers even at 95-all, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Neither team could break the tie in the closing seconds, turning over the ball repeatedly, until James passed to an open Schröder for a tie-breaking 3-pointer with 1.4 seconds left.

    Davis then fouled Minnesota’s Mike Conley on a 3-point attempt and Conley made all three free throws with 0.1 remaining to send the game into overtime tied at 98-all. Davis – who led a defensive effort that held Minnesota to seven total points over the final 11 minutes of the game – paid the price for his aggressive defense of Conley, running at him from some distance and lumbering into him. Davis and James said they had a mix-up about who was supposed to defend the shooter in the corner.

    “That was totally on me,” said Davis, who had 24 points, 15 rebounds and three blocked shots. “He faded out of bounds where I was going. But it goes back to next-play mentality, and we got it done in overtime.”

    In overtime, James fed Rui Hachimura for a 3-pointer from the right wing and the Lakers took a quick 101-98 lead. Schröder’s layup on a give-and-go play with Davis made it 103-98 on the next possession, and the Lakers suddenly were in command with their largest lead of the game. Schröder iced the win with two free throws with 8.4 seconds left.

    James led the Lakers with 30 points to go with 10 rebounds and six assists. Schröder had 21 points, going 3 for 4 from 3-point range and stepping up tremendously for D’Angelo Russell, who had a rough game against the team that traded him in February. Russell had eight assists but scored two points on 1-of-9 shooting before getting benched down the stretch.

    Karl-Anthony Towns had 24 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks for Minnesota and played with five fouls from the start of the fourth quarter on. Conley had 23 points and finished 6 for 8 from behind the arc.

    The Timberwolves must win a second play-in game Friday against either the New Orleans Pelicans or Oklahoma City Thunder in order to advance as the eighth-seeded team and set up a first-round series against the top-seeded Denver Nuggets. The Pelicans and Thunder play Wednesday.

    The Lakers were at something resembling full strength, apart from the nagging foot injuries James, Davis and Russell had battled in recent days and weeks. All three were in the starting lineup, however. Schröder (neck/Achilles) also was sound after sitting out the past two games.

    Related Articles

    Lakers |


    Lakers focused on winning play-in game, not Timberwolves’ troubles

    Lakers |


    Lakers defeat Jazz, face Timberwolves in play-in tournament

    Lakers |


    LeBron James says Lakers must ‘stay on edge’ for play-in game

    Lakers |


    Game Day: Big finish for Lakers and Clippers

    Lakers |


    Why the Lakers’ depth is as vital as LeBron James and Anthony Davis

    The Timberwolves were nowhere near full strength, however, and it was their own fault after they suspended center Rudy Gobert one game after he threw a punch at teammate Kyle Anderson during a timeout in the second quarter of Sunday’s victory over the Pelicans that sent them to L.A.

    In addition, Jaden McDaniels couldn’t play because of a broken right hand, suffered when he punched a wall in frustration during the Timberwolves’ victory over the Pelicans. He was fitted for a cast Monday and was said to be out indefinitely. Plus, Naz Reid was sidelined by a fractured wrist.

    The Lakers outscored Minnesota 19-12 in the fourth quarter and 10-4 in OT.

    “We expected a dogfight and they gave us one,” said Lakers coach Darvin Ham, whose team started the season 2-10 and sat six games below .500 at the trade deadline.

    Davis, who played 43 minutes, sounded eager for a few days to recharge.

    “It took everything out of us to get to where we are, and it took more out of us tonight,” Davis said. “But we’ve got a couple of days before we go to Memphis to start preparing for them. It’s been a battle. It’s been an up-and-down season for us, but now is the time to show who we are, and we showed it tonight.”

    “My job is to lead this team defensively and that’s what I wanted to do and it kind of got us going.” @AntDavis23 with @LakersReporter on tonight’s play-in win, his foul on Conley in regulation and more. pic.twitter.com/G2uEv6jPAh

    — Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) April 12, 2023

    Monster performance by @AntDavis23 (24 PTS, 15 REB, 3 BLK, 2 STL) in the #ATTPlayIn OT win!

    Lakers/Grizzlies Game 1: Sun, 3pm/et, ABC pic.twitter.com/tSQRilVXwf

    — NBA (@NBA) April 12, 2023

    30 FOR THE KING.
    LAKERS WIN TO GET IN.@KingJames powers the Lakers into the #NBAPlayoffs presented by Google Pixel! pic.twitter.com/6Hw35GM3qf

    — NBA (@NBA) April 12, 2023

    Dennis Schroder came up big in the clutch tonight with 18 of his 21 points coming in the 2H and OT!

    The @Lakers will face Memphis in Round 1.

    Sunday, April 16
    ABC pic.twitter.com/t0ez1P6P3X

    — NBA (@NBA) April 12, 2023

    .@KingJames on the #Lakers journey to get to the #NBAPlayoffs, his early thoughts on the Memphis matchup and overcoming AD’s close out foul on Mike Conley. pic.twitter.com/PboFoxGc7u

    — Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) April 12, 2023

    “This game was the definition of having the ‘next-play’ mentality.” Darvin Ham on the #Lakers getting the win, their resiliency and Dennis Schröder’s big night. pic.twitter.com/hEdQrelEhQ

    — Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) April 12, 2023

    “It’s probably the loudest I’ve seen it since I’ve been here.” Austin Reaves on the atmosphere tonight and how the #Lakers overcame the late game turnovers. pic.twitter.com/FMVLFgrRt0

    — Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) April 12, 2023

    ​ Orange County Register 

    News