Lakers (0-1) vs. Timberwolves (1-0) | Game 2 of 25-26 Season

📅 Date: Tuesday, Oct. 24

⏰ Tip-off: 7:00 p.m. PT

📍 Location: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles

📺 TV: Amazon Prime Video

📻 Radio: SPN LA 710/1330 KWKW

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Game Preview

The Los Angeles Lakers are 0-1 after a 119-109 season opener loss to the Golden State Warriors and now have the Minnesota Timberwolves up next in a playoff rematch.

The Timberwolves are coming off a road win, 118-114, in their season opener against the Trail Blazers behind an MVP-like showing from 24-year-old Anthony Edwards, who finished with 41 points on 50% shooting from 3-point range and from the floor.

Luka Dončić is also coming off an MVP performance, as he finished with the most points he’s ever had in a season opener with one assist shy of a triple-double: 43 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists.

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Despite an underwhelming and slow third-quarter start, a trend that the Lakers struggled with last season and during the preseason, coach JJ Redick acknowledged the team’s intent was really good.

He and the rest of the coaching staff used the last two days of practice to clean up their opening night mistakes.

“The things we cleaned up in film and the things we cleaned up in practice were very simple,” Redick said Wednesday.

Redick noted the Lakers struggled in their defensive rotation, defending shooters, especially the lasers, in transition, and closing out against Golden State, making it an emphasis to correct and be clearer in what they need to fix in this week’s practice.

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“Sometimes as a coach you say things and you drill things, but you realize then that if it’s not showing up in the game, then it’s not clear,” Redick said. “We just got to continue to reinforce things on a clear basis.”

What to Watch For

Cleaning up third-quarter struggles: The Lakers were outscored 35–25 and gave up an 18–4 run to start the second half in their opener. They’ll need a sharper effort coming out of halftime to avoid another momentum swing and playing catch-up in the fourth.

Containing Anthony Edwards: Edwards is coming off a great outing in Minnesota’s opener and will be a major focus for the Lakers’ perimeter defense.

Limiting turnovers: Los Angeles turned the ball over 20 times on Opening Night — an area they must tighten up to give themselves more touches on offense.

Improving shooting efficiency: The Lakers shot just 25% from three and 60% from the free-throw line on 28 attempts against Golden State.

Starting Unit

With LeBron James still sidelined, Gabe Vincent was the starting piece against the Warriors. Redick said the starting unit is still not set with their star out and it could change from game to game depending on the matchup.

The Timberwolves have Donte DiVincenzo, who stands at 6’4, as their starting point guard, with last year’s starting point guard, Mike Conley, coming off the bench. So Vincent could be coming off the bench because of this particular matchup.

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Injury Report

The Lakers’ injury report remains the same. James (sciatica) and Maxi Kleber (oblique strain) remain sidelined for the next couple of weeks to be reevaluated for their injuries.

Rookie Adou Thiero is still working his way back from a knee injury and will also be reevaluated in a couple of weeks. His burst and athleticism were eye-opening in practice this week in his individual drills, as it’s one of the traits this current Lakers team lacks and needs.

For the Timberwolves, their injury report is a clean sheet.

(Updated as of Tuesday morning; subject to change before tip-off.)

What’s Next

Following Friday’s matchup, the Lakers will travel to Sacramento for their first road game of the season. They return home for the following contest against the Trail Blazers on Monday.