110-128
FINALMinnesota
Timberwolves
56-44|L10: 4-6
Los
Angeles Lakers
61-40|L10: 4-6
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Eastern Conference
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LAL • Center • #2
6 months ago
Ayton only played 17 minutes in Friday’s win over the Grizzlies due to back spasms. However, head coach JJ Redick said afterward that the limited playing time was for precautionary reasons, and the 7-footer could have gone back into the game if needed. Ayton’s probable tag suggests he will be available on Sunday. If not, Jaxson Hayes will likely move into the starting lineup.
Source: Ryan Ward
MIN • Shooting Guard • #22
6 months ago
Clark missed the last two games with a strained left calf. The 24-year-old shooting guard’s primary utility is that he helps the Timberwolves on the defensive end. Clark isn’t worth adding in fantasy basketball.
LAL • Center • #2
6 months ago
Ayton experienced back spasms during Friday’s game, which limited him to 17 minutes. Lakers head coach JJ Redick said afterward that the 7-footer could have returned, but the team did not want to risk anything, given the time Ayton (nine points) missed last season. Jaxson Hayes started the second half and finished with two points, seven rebounds, five assists and one blocked shot in 23 minutes. He’ll likely move into the starting lineup if Ayton cannot play on Sunday.
Source: Khobi Price
LAL • Shooting Guard • #15
6 months ago
Reaves had scored 120 points over his last three games without Luke Doncic available. Doncic was back on Friday, though, and Reaves took a backseat to the superstar once again. Doncic topped 40 points as he has in all three games he’s played this year and Reaves has 72 points combined in those games. Reaves is a solid scorer who happens to turn into the Incredible Hulk whenever the Lakers are without both Doncic and LeBron James.
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #77
6 months ago
Dončić has been outstanding in the three games he’s played this year. The 26-year-old point guard is averaging 45.3 points per game, 11.7 rebounds per game and 7.7 assists per game while shooting 58.4 percent from the field. Dončić looks to be on another level this year after reports that he was dedicated to getting in better shape over the offseason.
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #36
6 months ago
Dončić and Smart are back from injury, and both will be in the starting lineup. In the latter’s case, he’s likely to take on the assignment of defending Grizzlies star Ja Morant. Reaves, Vanderbilt and Ayton are the holdovers for the Lakers, who have won two of their last three games.
Source: NBA Lineups
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #77
6 months ago
Dončić is back after missing three games with finger and leg injuries, while a quad contusion sidelined Smart for the last two. The former’s return is of far greater consequence to the Lakers and fantasy basketball, as Dončić is one of the best players in the spot. Austin Reaves’ usage may decrease, but not by much, as he has been on a roll over the last week. Also, Jake LaRavia will likely return to the bench since Dončić is good to go.
Source: Khobi Price
MIN • Shooting Guard • #22
6 months ago
Clark has missed Minnesota’s last two games with a strained left calf. While he doesn’t provide much value on the offensive end of the floor, he is one of the Timberwolves’ top defenders. Once available, Clark will impact the Timberwolves more than fantasy basketball.
Source: Minnesota Timberwolves
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #36
6 months ago
Smart missed Los Angeles’ last two games after injuring his quad on Sunday, and he should be back on the court after a brief absence. Smart’s return coincides with Luka Doncic’s, and the Lakers simply don’t have enough touches to go around for Smart to be a viable option in most fantasy leagues.
Source: Dave McMenamin
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #77
6 months ago
Doncic has missed three straight games, but it looks like he’s ready to return for opening night of NBA Cup play. Austin Reaves has averaged ridiculous numbers in Doncic’s absence, posting 40 points, 5.3 rebounds, 10 assists, 2.3 swipes and four triples. Those gaudy stats will surely take a hit with Doncic back in the lineup, but Reaves remains an elite fantasy option.
Source: Dave McMenamin
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #36
6 months ago
Smart injured his quad during Sunday’s win over the Kings and missed the following two games as a result. While he may return on Friday, that’s also the case for Luka Dončić, who’s questionable with finger and leg injuries. There’s no need to roster Smart in fantasy leagues if he’s available to play against the Grizzlies.
Source: Marc Stein
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #77
6 months ago
Dončić has missed the Lakers’ last three games with finger and leg injuries, but a return may be on the horizon. If he can play against the Grizzlies, Jake LaRavia will likely be the odd man out of the starting lineup. In Dončić’s absence, Austin Reaves has been on fire, scoring 120 points over his last three games.
Source: Marc Stein
MIN • Power Forward and Center • #30
6 months ago
Randle’s clutch, driving layup gave the Timberwolves a one-point lead with 10 seconds left in regulation, but the Lakers answered with an Austin Reaves game-winning floater. Still, the 30-year-old power forward continues to have big scoring nights while Anthony Edwards (hamstring) is sidelined. Randle has at least 30 points in two of his last three games. As long as Edwards is out, he’s a threat to score 30 points on a nightly basis.
LAL • Center • #2
6 months ago
Ayton’s double-double was his second in the last three games. The 27-year-old center has been very efficient on offense as he was again Wednesday with 17 points on 11 field goal attempts. Ayton also grabbed 10 rebounds and he’s recorded 33 rebounds over his last three games. He’s poised for a nice bounce back season after falling out with the Trail Blazers last year.
LAL • Power Forward • #33
6 months ago
LaRavia signed a two-year, $12 million deal with the Lakers this past offseason. The 23-year-old small forward became the first Laker since Pau Gasol to have at least 25 points and at least a 90 percent field goal percentage. LaRavia has averaged 6.9 point per game in his four-year career, but if he has more games like this it’ll go down as an underrated signing.
LAL • Shooting Guard • #15
6 months ago
Trailing by one with six seconds left in regulation, the Lakers inbounded the ball to Reaves. The 27-year-old shooting guard split the defense on a pick and roll and hit a floater in the lane to win the game for the Lakers. Reaves has taken his game to another level in the absence of Luka Doncic and LeBron James.
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #77
6 months ago
Wednesday’s game against the Timberwolves is the first of two that the Lakers will play on the road before returning home to face Miami on Sunday. Dončić, who has missed the last two games, is expected to be re-evaluated over the weekend. Due to the team’s many injuries, Jake LaRavia has moved into the starting lineup and is worth a look in deeper fantasy leagues. The Lakers have a five-game road trip that begins in Atlanta on November 8.
Source: Dave McMenamin
LAL • Small Forward, Power Forward, Point Guard, Center, and Shooting Guard • #23
6 months ago
James has yet to appear in a game this season, and based on Redick’s pregame comments, he’s still a few weeks away. While there is no specific timeline for a return, Redick noted that the team is eyeing the second or third week of November. That means the Lakers will continue to lean heavily on Austin Reaves, and when he returns, Luka Dončić. While Jarred Vanderbilt’s playing time has increased, he does not offer much offensive value.
Source: Dave McMenamin
MIN • Shooting Guard • #22
6 months ago
Clark will miss a second straight game with a calf injury. While his absence does not significantly impact fantasy basketball, it could be an issue for the Timberwolves, who have struggled defensively recently. Not having one of their best defenders available can be problematic, even if the Lakers are without Luka Dončić and LeBron James.
Source: Minnesota Timberwolves
LAL • Center • #11
6 months ago
Hayes will return from a three-game absence and should fill out the backup center minutes behind Deandre Ayton. Jarred Vanderbilt had been filling that role in a smaller lineup, and he should still play plenty of minutes, just not at center.
Source: Mike Trudell
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #36
6 months ago
This will be a second consecutive absence for Smart, who injured his quad against the Kings on Sunday. Jake LaRavia got the starting nod in his place on Monday and should remain in that role against the Wolves. However, Dalton Knecht ended up playing much better than LaRavia off the bench and should have a chance to take on extra minutes.
Source: Mike Trudell
LAL • Center • #11
6 months ago
Hayes has missed the Lakers’ last three games, resulting in Jarred Vanderbilt playing the center position when starter Deandre Ayton was on the bench. If Hayes cannot play again, that should remain the arrangement on Wednesday. Vanderbilt started Monday’s loss to the Trail Blazers, as the Lakers were without Marcus Smart and Gabe Vincent. He’s worth streaming when allowed to start.
Source: NBA Injury Report
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #36
6 months ago
Smart suffered a right quad contusion during the second half of Sunday’s win over the Kings and missed the following night’s loss to Portland. Austin Reaves slid into the starting point guard role against the Trail Blazers, with Jake LaRavia moving into the starting lineup. Expect the same if Smart can’t play on Wednesday.
Source: NBA Injury Report
MIN • Shooting Guard • #22
6 months ago
Clark was a late scratch for Monday’s loss to the Nuggets, and Minnesota missed his defensive ability. Rob Dillingham and Bones Hyland picked up additional minutes, but neither defends as well as Clark. And Minnesota can use Clark in the rotation with Lakers guard Austin Reaves having scored 92 points over his last two games.
Source: Minnesota Timberwolves
LAL • Center • #2
6 months ago
Ayton didn’t have his most productive game of the season on Monday, but logged 36 minutes and nearly landed a double-double against the Trail Blazers. He made more than half of his field goal attempts before finishing as one of the Lakers’ top scorers for the game. The former first-overall pick continues to shoot the ball well and perform decently on the glass early in his tenure with the Lakers. Although he hasn’t often been dominant, Ayton is a nightly double-double threat.
LAL • Power Forward • #2
6 months ago
Wth Luka Doncic (finger) and Gabe Vincent (ankle) both sidelined, Vanderbilt earned his first start of the season. He played well with the opening unit — he shot with accuracy, was one of the Lakers’ better rebounders on the evening, and was active on the defensive end to accumulate several steals. His stint in the starting unit may not be permanent, but he made a strong impression despite the loss on Monday.
LAL • Shooting Guard • #15
6 months ago
Reaves followed up his 51-point outing against the Kings with another dominant scoring performance on the second night of a back-to-back. Free-throw production served as a boost on Monday, as it did on Sunday. Yet, Reaves was still efficient on high volume from the floor and could retain with an ultra-high usage until Luka Doncic and LeBron James eventually return from injuries and get back on the floor.
MIN • Power Forward and Small Forward • #3
6 months ago
McDaniels was aggressive on the offensive end in Minnesota’s first game of the season without Anthony Edwards (hamstring). The versatile forward led all Timberwolves players in shot attempts and was the only one to tally double-digit makes. He was efficient from the floor and, unsurprisingly, made an impact on the defensive end as a shot blocker. McDaniels didn’t get involved much on the glass or as a passer, but if he can stay consistent as a scorer during Edwards’s absence, he’ll provide an undermanned Timberwolves squad with a needed scoring boost.
MIN • Center and Power Forward • #11
6 months ago
On the heels of a 16-point, 12-rebound double-double against the Pacers, Reid turned in another strong performance off the bench on Monday. Against the Nuggets, he was one of two Minnesota players to drain multiple three-pointers, tied a team high in rebounds, and finished as one of the Timberwolves’ top three scorers on the evening. With Anthony Edwards out of the lineup for the time being, Reid’s scoring could be of big necessity for this team. Fantasy managers could expect continued productive performances from Reid moving forward.
MIN • Power Forward and Center • #30
6 months ago
On the second night of a back-to-back, Randle provided the Timberwolves with efficient scoring, decent rebounding, and activity on the defensive end of the floor. His biggest impact on the offensive end came in an 11-point second quarter, helping the Timberwolves outscore the Nuggets by 12 to take an eight-point lead into halftime. Randle was quiet in the third frame but closed the game with seven points in the final quarter to put him past the 20-point mark for the third time this season. He’ll likely be leaned on even more as a scorer during this stretch in which Anthony Edwards is sidelined with a hamstring injury.
LAL • Point Guard • #7
6 months ago
Vincent is expected to be back in mid-to-late November, and he had been starting. Marcus Smart (quad) started alongside Gabe Vincent on Sunday, but both were sidelined on Monday, which allowed Jake LaRavia and Jarred Vanderbilt to start in their place. Two of the three will continue to start until Luka Doncic (finger) returns to the lineup.
Source: Shams Charania
LAL • Power Forward • #33
6 months ago
With Gabe Vincent (ankle) and Marcus Smart (quad) sidelined, LaRavia will get his first start as a Laker, and Vanderbilt will get his first start of the season. Vanderbilt should provide strong defense, but LaRavia has more upside to contribute in the box score.
Source: Brad Turner
MIN • Shooting Guard • #22
6 months ago
Clark wasn’t on the injury report, but he has been ruled out shortly before tipoff. With Mike Conley starting, Rob Dillingham and Bones Hyland will occupy the backup point guard minutes.
Source: Timberwolves PR
MIN • Point Guard • #10
6 months ago
With Anthony Edwards (hamstring) set to miss two weeks, Conley will get the first nod as a starter in his place. Conley has struggled this season, but this could be a good opportunity to get back on track. Jaylen Clark, Terrence Shannon Jr. and Bones Hyland should take on extra reserve minutes in Edwards’ absence.
Source: Jon Krawczynski
LAL • Center • #11
6 months ago
Hayes will miss a third straight game, which means Jarred Vanderbilt will fill out the center minutes when Deandre Ayton isn’t on the floor. Ayton is coming off his best game as a Laker and will look to carry that momentum into a matchup with his former team.
Source: Mike Trudell
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #36
6 months ago
Smart injured his quad during the second half of Sunday’s win over the Kings, which ended his night a but early. That will keep him sidelined for the second leg of the Lakers’ back-to-back. Smart started that game with Luka Doncic sidelined, so Jake LaRavia or Dalton Knecht could replace Smart for this game.
Source: Mike Trudell
MIN • Point Guard • #4
6 months ago
Dillingham played one minute in Friday’s loss to the Lakers, only to exit after fracturing his nose. After sitting out Sunday’s win over the Pacers, he’s available to return. With Anthony Edwards (hamstring) out, additional minutes may be available, but Dillingham is not a must-stream player in most fantasy leagues.
Source: Minnesota Timberwolves
MIN • Shooting Guard • #5
6 months ago
Edwards injured his right hamstring during the first quarter of Sunday’s win over the Pacers. According to Charania, the guard has been diagnosed with a strained hamstring and will miss two weeks. Based on the timeline, Edwards will miss at least seven games, which doesn’t factor in a ramp-up period. Mike Conley could be the replacement in the starting lineup, but fantasy managers should also plan on Terrence Shannon Jr. taking on a more prominent role within the rotation. Regarding usage, Julius Randle moves to the top of the offensive “food chain,” and Jaden McDaniels may also be in for a boost.
Source: Shams Charania
LAL • Center • #11
6 months ago
Due to a sore left knee, Hayes was not in uniform for a second consecutive game. His absence meant more minutes for starter Deandre Ayton (22/15/2/1/1), who played 36 and had arguably his best game of the season’s first week. The Lakers went small when Ayton was not on the floor, using Jarred Vanderbilt (9/5/2/2 in 27 minutes) at the five. Expect a similar approach if Hayes cannot play in Monday’s game against the Trail Blazers.
LAL • Point Guard • #7
6 months ago
Vincent rolled his left ankle while attempting to challenge a layup attempt during the third quarter, exiting with just over eight minutes remaining in the period. While X-rays on the ankle were negative, Vincent wore a walking boot following the game. With the Lakers hosting the Trail Blazers on Monday, it feels safe to assume he won’t be available. Jake LaRavia (11/6/5/1 with two three-pointers), who played 33 minutes off the bench, may be the player most likely to move into the starting lineup. Dalton Knecht (two points, two rebounds and one block in 13 minutes) is another possibility, but LaRavia would be the player to stream in this spot.
Source: Dave McMenamin
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #36
6 months ago
As expected, Smart was Lakers head coach JJ Redick’s choice to replace the injured Luka Dončić in the starting lineup. And there weren’t any surprises regarding the veteran guard’s production. Smart didn’t have a great night shooting the basketball, but the foul line boosted his point total, and he dished out five assists with just one turnover. The Lakers play four games during Week 2, and Dončić won’t be re-evaluated until before the last contest. Smart isn’t a must-add; fantasy managers would be better off with Rui Hachimura, even if he isn’t a point guard.
LAL • Power Forward • #28
6 months ago
After putting up 23 points in Friday’s win over the Timberwolves, Hachimura followed that up with another solid performance against the Kings. The only issue was that he did not provide much value in the rebound category. However, Hachimura is in a spot where he can produce more offense, as the Lakers will be without Luka Dončić for at least one week. Hachimura is rostered in just 24 percent of Yahoo! leagues, and he’s worth picking up ahead of the Lakers’ four-game Week 2.
MIN • Center and Power Forward • #11
6 months ago
Reid was 4-for-13 with 11 points in the first two games of the season. The 26-year-old center bounced back against the Pacers on Sunday with a stronger offensive workload. His three-point shot is still off with Reid shooting 2-for-9 from behind the arc this season. Despite those struggles, he’s had three-point field goal percentages of 37.9 and 41.4 over the last two seasons. Reid should be in line for more consistent scoring once he starts making more threes again.
MIN • Center • #27
6 months ago
While the rebounding between the two teams overall was about even, the Pacers’ skeleton crew of 10 active players were no match for Gobert on the boards. The 33-year-old center’s 19 rebounds included four offensive rebounds against Indiana’s frontline. Gobert didn’t contribute much else for fantasy purposes besides two blocks, but being a big plus in the rebound category will help absorb the poor free-throw shooting.
MIN • Power Forward and Center • #30
6 months ago
Randle stepped up with Anthony Edwards (hamstring) leaving the game after three minutes. The 30-year-old power forward had his fourth game with at least 30 points since joining the Timberwolves before last season. Randle would be in line for more games like this if Edwards’ injury turns out to be significant, but his varied skillset offers fantasy managers multi-category goodness anyway.
MIN • Shooting Guard • #5
6 months ago
Edwards is dealing with right hamstring tightness. The 24-year-old shooting guard came up holding his right hamstring in the first quarter of Sunday’s game against the Pacers. Edwards headed to the locker room and was ruled out. He played just three minutes in the contest. While the severity of the injury is unclear at this time, any injury to a player of Edwards’ stature is of concern for fantasy managers.
Source: Timberwolves PR
MIN • Point Guard • #4
6 months ago
Initially questionable for Sunday’s game, Dillingham is out after breaking his nose during Friday’s loss to the Lakers. His absence will not impact fantasy basketball, as the second-year guard has not been in the Timberwolves’ rotation to begin the season.
Source: Minnesota Timberwolves
MIN • Point Guard • #4
6 months ago
Dillingham didn’t see the floor in the season opener and then fractured his nose after playing just one minute on Friday. If he is available, he will likely be donning a face mask, but he won’t play a significant role.
Source: Timberwolves PR
MIN • Shooting Guard • #0
6 months ago
DiVincenzo made his second start at the point guard position on Friday and found greater individual success than in the season opener. He left his mark from beyond the arc against the Lakers en route to scoring in double figures for the first time this season. He also doubled his assists from opening night and picked up a pair of steals along the way. DiVincenzo’s production could increase if more reps at the position throughout the season prove valuable to his development.
MIN • Power Forward and Center • #30
6 months ago
Julius Randle was one of the brightest spots for Minnesota’s offense on Friday. Accurate shooting from deep and inside the three-point line helped lead the veteran forward to his first 20-point outing of the season, which allowed him to finish as the second-leading scorer on the team. Randle’s work on the glass was also impressive and nearly enough to secure a double-double, while his handful of dimes tied a team-best. Looking ahead, Randle should remain in his current role as a heavily featured starting forward — his production should be sustainable.
MIN • Shooting Guard • #5
6 months ago
Despite not putting up as jaw-dropping a performance as he did in the season-opener against the Trail Blazers, Edwards was still impressive in Friday’s loss to the Lakers. He was accurate with his shooting from the floor, continued to drain the three-point shot, and even had a way of impacting the game as a passer. His efforts didn’t lead to a victory, but a balanced performance overall should keep fantasy managers happy.
MIN • Power Forward and Small Forward • #3
6 months ago
McDaniels hit a three-pointer that put the Timberwolves ahead with 2:25 left in the fourth quarter. It was a clutch shot at that point in the game, though the Timberwolves would give up the lead only to get it back on a clutch shot by Anthony Edwards. It’s only one game, but McDaniels already looks like a steal as his preseason Yahoo! ADP was outside the top-100.
MIN • Power Forward and Center • #30
6 months ago
Anthony Edwards was said to be dealing with a back injury heading into this game, but he ultimately didn’t defer any of his typical usage as he led the team with 28 shot attempts. Randle would’ve figured to pick up some usage if Edwards was out. He played an efficient game to get his numbers in this one without the additional usage with 19 points on 13 shots and six assists with zero turnovers. Randle picked up right where he left off as a perfect fit with the Timberwolves in his first year with Minnesota.
MIN • Shooting Guard • #5
6 months ago
Edwards was initially listed as questionable with back spasms, but ended up playing 39 minutes against the Trail Blazers on Wednesday. The 24-year-old shooting guard was the best player on the floor with a game-high 41 points. Edwards hit a three-pointer with 1:14 left that put the Timberwolves up for good, partially because he also hit a jumper with seven seconds left that iced the game. Typical superstar effort from Edwards that we’ve seen many times already in his young career.
MIN • Shooting Guard • #5
6 months ago
A game-time decision for Wednesday’s season opener due to back spasms, Edwards is available and will occupy his usual place in the starting lineup. Donte DiVincenzo, Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert complete the Timberwolves’ starting five.
Source: Minnesota Timberwolves
MIN • Shooting Guard • #0
6 months ago
The lineup decision means veteran Mike Conley will come off the bench, but according to Haynes, he will “remain a vital piece.” DiVincenzo’s fantasy value gets a boost with this announcement, and he’s still widely available on many waiver wires.
Source: Chris B. Haynes
MIN • Shooting Guard • #5
6 months ago
Edwards is dealing with back spasms, hence his inclusion on the Timberwolves’ injury report. To say his potential absence is a big deal would be an understatement, as Ant-Man is Minnesota’s top offensive option and has top-10 fantasy potential. If he’s unable to play, more will be asked of Julius Randle offensively, and Donte DiVincenzo and Terrence Shannon Jr. would see their roles expand.
Source: Minnesota Timberwolves
MIN • Shooting Guard • #33
7 months ago
Juzang, who agreed to a non-guaranteed deal with the Timberwolves on August 1, played well during the preseason. He’ll stick around on a two-way contract, which allows Minnesota to make Juzang active for up to 50 regular-season games. However, the team must waive Tristen Newton, Enrique Freeman or Rocco Zikarsky to free up a two-way slot for Juzang. Zikarsky’s two-way deal runs for two years, so he’s the player most likely to remain with the Timberwolves.
Source: Michael Scotto
MIN • Shooting Guard • #22
7 months ago
Clark found himself able to take advantage of additional opportunities on Friday, with many of Minnesota’s key rotation players resting. In the start, he logged 21 minutes and used the free-throw line to help him score in double figures for the first time this preseason. Clark was drafted with the 53rd pick of the 2024 draft by the Timberwolves and appeared in 40 games in his rookie season, where he averaged 13.1 minutes per game. He’ll face an uphill battle in trying to carve out a big role with this veteran roster in Year 2.
MIN • Point Guard • #4
7 months ago
With several key Timberwolves players resting, Dillingham got the start on Friday and put together a solid outing. Despite being cold from beyond the arc, he still shot decently overall and made his way into double figures as a scorer in his 26 minutes of action. He was most impressive as a passer, however, leading Minnesota in assists against Philadelphia. Dillingham didn’t find a meaningful role with the Wolves during his rookie season, but with Nickiel Alexander-Walker joining the Hawks this past offseason, he will have a chance to land more consistent playing time in Year 2.