LOS ANGELES — Naz Reid scored 31 points while hitting six 3-pointers and the Minnesota Timberwolves took advantage of LeBron James' absence and Anthony Davis' early exit with an eye injury to defeat Los Angeles on Sunday. They defeated the Lakers 127-117. night.
Anthony Edwards added 26 points for the Timberwolves, who finished level with Denver for the top spot in the Western Conference with a 54-24 record, their seventh win in nine games. Minnesota didn't waste a golden opportunity to defeat the surging Lakers, who played most of the night without their two superstars.
James missed 11 games of the 21st NBA season after staying home with flu-like symptoms. Davis then returned to the locker room after being hit in the face by Kyle Anderson while making a tip-in basket late in the first quarter.
The nine-time All-Star did not return to the game. Davis' left eye was already injured from the impact he suffered in last month's game against Golden State.
Minnesota broke up a close game without Davis patrolling the midfield, scoring 46 points in the second quarter. Los Angeles' supporters kept it close until the third quarter, but Rudy Gobert scored six of his 18 points in the fourth quarter, and Minnesota easily held on. Gobert also had 16 rebounds.
Rui Hachimura scored 30 points for the Lakers, whose winning streak ended at four with their second loss in 11 games. Los Angeles also climbed to No. 8 on Saturday for the first time since late December, but fell to No. 9 in the ultra-competitive West.
For the Lakers, backup big man Jackson Hayes had a season-high 19 points and 10 assists in 33 minutes in Davis' absence, and Spencer Dinwiddie added 18 points and seven assists. D'Angelo Russell struggled when Los Angeles needed a big game from their No. 3 option, missing 14 of 19 shots and finishing with 15 points and 11 assists.
Minnesota, which has a chance to be the No. 1 seed in the West for the second time in franchise history, bounced back from its worst offensive performance of the season in last Friday's game against Phoenix.
Minnesota quickly broke up a close game after Davis was ejected, with Reed scoring 18 points in the second quarter to take a 79-64 lead at halftime. Reid, who also grabbed 11 rebounds, totaled 46 points in the Timberwolves' last two meetings with the Lakers.
Along with James, the Lakers fielded backup point guard Gabe Vincent, who had just returned from an extended injury absence four games ago.
Timberwolves: Host Washington on Tuesday.
Lakers: Host Golden State on Tuesday.
