Luka Doncic recorded 31 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists for his seventh triple-double of the season, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 120–106 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night and completing a season sweep of the team.
Austin Reaves carried the Lakers offensively in the second half, scoring 29 of his 31 points, including a season-high seven 3-pointers and two four-point plays. Deandre Ayton added a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, stepping up as both of his backup big men were sidelined.
LeBron James sat out his third consecutive game with injuries, yet the Lakers (40–25) have still won six of their last seven and are 13–8 without their top scorer. When Doncic and Reaves both play without James, Los Angeles has gone 10–2. The victory moves the Lakers even with Minnesota for fourth place in the Western Conference, avenging last season’s first-round playoff loss.
Doncic’s triple-double marked the 89th of his career, ranking seventh-most in NBA history, and he secured it early in the fourth quarter.
Minnesota was led by Julius Randle and Anthony Edwards, who each scored 14 points, though Edwards struggled from the field, making just 2 of 15 shots. Four Timberwolves bench players scored in double figures, but Minnesota has now lost two straight after a five-game winning streak.
Both teams struggled offensively in the first half, with the Lakers missing 17 of their first 21 shots and Reaves going 1-for-8 before exploding for 16 points in the third quarter to help push the lead to 19.
Up next: The Timberwolves visit the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, while the Lakers return home to host the Chicago Bulls on Thursday.
