Lakers Outlast Wolves in Season Opener Despite Strong Effort

The Minnesota Timberwolves faced a rocky start to their 2024-2025 season, falling to the Los Angeles Lakers 110-103 in a high-energy game. Despite a strong performance by Anthony Edwards, who scored 27 points, it was Anthony Davis’ 37 points that propelled the Lakers to victory.
The match was particularly notable, not only for the season debut of LeBron James, but also for his son Bronny James, making them the first father-son duo to ever play in an NBA game together. It also marked the debut of Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle for Minnesota. The stage was set for an exciting night at Crypto.com Arena, but the Wolves struggled with turnovers and an inconsistent offense, ultimately costing them the game.

Early Struggles and Lakers’ Momentum

The Timberwolves had a promising start with Anthony Edwards quickly sinking a few three-pointers, while Jaden McDaniels showed early aggression. However, the Lakers, led by the elder James, responded swiftly and built a 16-10 lead midway through the first quarter. Minnesota's offense appeared disjointed, committing five turnovers early, yet they managed to close the quarter on an 11-4 run, edging out a 23-22 lead.
Despite the lead, the Wolves’ offense seemed out of sync, and their frequent turnovers gave the Lakers plenty of opportunities. Edwards led Minnesota with eight points in the first quarter, hitting two crucial three-pointers, but the team’s clunky play was evident.

Lakers Take Control

In the second quarter, the Lakers surged with a 12-4 run, pulling ahead 34-27. Minnesota continued to struggle with ball control, and the Lakers capitalized on their mistakes, extending their lead to 19 points. Amid this action, history was made as Bronny James checked into the game alongside his father, LeBron James, creating a memorable moment as the first father-son duo to play in the NBA.
While Edwards managed to score a few more buckets to keep the game within reach, the Wolves were clearly off their rhythm. They were outmatched in both offensive rebounds, losing 10-5, and turnovers, 10-3. Edwards led Minnesota with 14 points by halftime, while the Lakers saw strong performances from Anthony Davis and Rui Hachimura, contributing 12 and 11 points respectively.

Second-Half Push Falls Short

The Timberwolves’ sluggish play persisted into the third quarter, as they struggled to generate momentum. Although they managed to cut the deficit to eight points late in the third, thanks to a burst of energy from the bench, the Lakers held firm. Minnesota made a late push, reducing the lead to four early in the final quarter, with Naz Reid’s five quick points. However, the Lakers responded with a timeout and reasserted control.
In the closing minutes, Anthony Davis took over, scoring 11 points in the final seven minutes and dominating on both ends of the court. The Wolves’ attempts to mount a comeback were continually thwarted by Davis, who remained a force in the paint. Ultimately, Minnesota couldn't close the gap, falling 110-103.

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