Lakers vs Timberwolves: Injury Report and Latest Update on LeBron James

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The Los Angeles Lakers are set to face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at the Crypto.com Arena. The Lakers have been on a roll, winning eight out of their last 10 games in February, and are looking to extend their winning streak to four games. However, they will be facing a tough opponent in the Timberwolves, who are coming off a strong win against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Timberwolves' victory over the Thunder was a remarkable comeback, as they rallied from a 25-point deficit in the third quarter to force an extra period. Jaden McDaniels scored 27 points with 10 rebounds, and Naz Reid added 22 points and 11 boards, as Minnesota shot 55.6 percent in the second half and 59.1 percent in the fourth quarter. The Timberwolves made all 22 free-throw attempts in the fourth quarter and OT, sealing the victory. The Lakers, on the other hand, have been revived by the acquisition of Luka Doncic, who had 32 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists in a road victory over the Denver Nuggets on Saturday, and delivered a triple-double in a victory over his former squad on Tuesday.

LeBron James, who continues to play at an exceptional level at age 40, collected 27 points with 12 rebounds in 37 minutes of action against the Mavericks, while also playing solid defense. The Lakers' head coach, JJ Redick, praised James' defensive performance, saying he is playing at an All-NBA defense level. The Lakers will need to contain the Timberwolves' offense, which relies heavily on Anthony Edwards, who is averaging 27.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.6 assists this season. The Timberwolves' injury report lists Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert as out, which could affect their chances against the Lakers.

The Lakers have a chance to wrap up an excellent February by winning back-to-back games against the Timberwolves and the Clippers. However, they will need to improve on their third-quarter meltdowns, which have been a pattern in their recent games. The Lakers have led the league in defense over the last 15 games, but their interior defense is a concern, especially with Jaxson Hayes as their center. The match against the Timberwolves would have been a perfect test for the Lakers' interior defense if only Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle were expected to suit up.

Here are the match details:

• Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
• When: 7:30 PST, Feb 27
• Where: Crypto.com Arena
• Watch: NBA TV, Spectrum Sportsnet

The Lakers' chances against the Timberwolves will depend on their ability to contain Edwards, Reid, and their role players, and to improve on their third-quarter performance. With the acquisition of Luka Doncic and the continued exceptional play of LeBron James, the Lakers are looking to make a strong push in the Western Conference standings.

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