Austin Reaves, Lakers beat Timberwolves at the buzzer

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 116-115 in Minneapolis with a driving jump shot from Austin Reaves at the buzzer.

Los Angeles won despite playing without LeBron James and Luka Doncic, who Reaves led the team with 28 points and 16 assists on Wednesday night. On 10-for-11 shooting, including 5-for-6 success from beyond the three-point arc, Jake LaRavia added 27 points.

To lead Minnesota, Julius Randle recorded 33 points, five rebounds, and six assists. On 11-for-19 shooting, Jaden McDaniels added 30 points, going 3-for-4 from the field.

With 6. 6 seconds left, the Timberwolves had a one-point lead as the Lakers made an inbounds pass just outside half-court.

Reaves dribbled for a moment as McDaniels defended him as LaRavia gave him the pass. Reaves swung toward the paint and lifted for a jump shot from the inside the free-throw line while McDaniels and Timberwolves big man Rudy Gobert swung in his direction.

Reaves’ teammates rushed to celebrate with him as the shot fell as the period passed.

Reaves missed a shot from the corner at the buzzer in the first-round NBA playoff series last spring, which would have tied it with the Wolves, who would have held on and defeat the Lakers in Game 5. “To have that opportunity for a big road win, especially with a lot of people out, is special,” Reaves said. They kept encouraging me to go do what I do, and we kept hooping.

Lakers, who have suffered injuries, continue.

Before Reaves saved the Lakers, the Timberwolves almost made an incredible comeback. With 2: 30 left, Minnesota took a 114-106 lead before running a 9-0 run to take the lead.

With 10.2 seconds left, Randle added a crucial basket to complete the run. During the Timberwolves’ rally, McDaniels scored three points and ducked.

At halftime, the Lakers had a lead of 62-58.

The Lakers were also without Marcus Smart (right quad contusion), Gabe Vincent (left ankle sprain), and Maxi Kleber (abdominal muscle strain), despite James (sciatica) and Doncic (left finger sprain, lower left leg contusion).

Jaxson Hayes, who had a knee injury, missed his previous three games and made a comeback. In 13 minutes, Hayes added one block, two rebounds, three assists, and one steal.

Anthony Edwards, the Timberwolves’ top scorer, was forced to miss his second game in a row due to tightness in his right hamstring. Due to the injury, Edwards is expected to miss about two weeks.

Due to a left calf strain, Timberwolves forward Jaylen Clark also had to sit out his second game in a row. Prior to being ruled out, Clark was listed on the injury report as doubtful.