Playing on the 2nd night of a back-to-back and already without LeBron James (flu-like symptoms), the Lakers lost Anthony Davis after just a quarter of play to another left eye injury and ultimately did not have enough front court depth to slow down the Wolves in a 127 to 117 loss on Sunday night. The loss snaps the Lakers four-game win streak and, after a day in the 8th spot, drops the Lakers back down to 9th behind the Kings and two games back in the loss column behind the Suns and the Pelicans.
The Lakers battled hard in this one, fighting back from being down double digits multiple times in the 3rd and 4th quarters to get it to single digits and really push the Wolves. But they were never able to get over the hump as Minnesota simply had an answer to every run and the Lakers were just too shorthanded to sustain the necessary energy, effort, and scoring to really give the Wolves too big a scare after building up their lead into the high teens.
The Lakers were led by Rui Hachimura who poured in 30 points on 11-17 shooting, including making four of his five attempts from behind the arc. Taking on a bigger offensive role without LeBron (and then AD), Rui proved a difficult cover for the Wolves, drilling threes, working the mid-range out of the post and after attacking closeouts, and by taking the ball strong to the rim in both transition and on straight line drives in the half court. It was another bright spot game for Rui, who continues to show how versatile an offensive threat he can be.
Next to Rui in the frontcourt, Jaxson Hayes also had a good night stepping into a larger role due to AD's injury. Hayes finished the game with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and five steals in just over 32 minutes of game action and really showed how well he could impact the game against a strong Wolves frontcourt. Hayes ran the floor well, finished strong at the rim with multiple dunks, and battled on both backboards to make his presence felt. Just a really strong showing by Hayes who answered the call with production and high-energy play when he was called on to step up.
While Rui and Hayes filled in for their missing teammates admirably, it was more of a mixed bag for the Lakers guards. On the positive side, Spencer Dinwiddie got the start in LeBron's absence and played well in a higher usage role. Dinwiddie scored 18 points and dished out seven assists, making four of his seven shots from the field (three of five from distance) and all seven of his free throws on the evening. Spencer upped his aggression and did well to hit shots and really give the Lakers offense a boost.
D'Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves, however, were not as successful offensively, particularly as scorers. Both did hit double figures with Reaves (14 points) and Russell (15 points), but neither were able to ever really find their rhythm, and both struggled with their efficiency. Austin connected on four of his 14 attempts from the field while Russell went just five of 19. And while Russell was great as a passer (11 assists to just one turnover), the Lakers missed his scoring and shot making in this one.
On Minnesota's side, they were led by Naz Reid, Anthony Edwards, and Rudy Gobert, all of whom in their own way had their nights made easier by both LeBron sitting and, even more so, when AD went out. Reid led the way for the Wolves with 31 points on 12 of 16 shooting, including going six of eight from behind the arc. With the Lakers gearing up in the paint to slow down Edwards' drives, Reid picked-and-popped to and spotted up in the weak side corner for open jumpers and he made the Lakers pay over and over again.
As for Edwards and Gobert, both were especially good attacking the paint after AD went out, and Edwards was also strong shooting over the top of smaller defenders in the mid-range in the pick-and-roll. But both were able to exert themselves physically in ways that Davis likely would have been able to at least partially impact, but just was not available to do.
And, ultimately, that is the story of this game. The Lakers were always going to have a big challenge playing the Wolves, especially after it was announced LeBron would not play. But to also lose Davis -- who was a plus-four in the box score in his 12 minutes -- after a quarter and then play as shorthanded as they did the rest of the game, the team just was not going to have enough to get it done.
The Lakers will now try to regroup and get back on the winning side of the ledger when they host the Warriors on Tuesday.