- Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 116-113 to take a 3-1 series lead
- Anthony Edwards led the Wolves with 43 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists in a dominant performance
- Lakers’ head coach did not make a single change during the second half, marking the first time in NBA plyoff history with no substitutions
Key Takeaways:
The Minnesota Timberwolves are dreaming more strongly of a Top 4 finish in the NBA Playoffs. Chris Finch’s team edged the Los Angeles Lakers in a thriller, winning 116-113 in the fourth Western Conference quarterfinal, played at Target Center. The game delivered real drama, especially in the final moments, where the Timberwolves made the right decisions and pushed J.J. Redick’s squad closer to elimination.
NBA Playoff history in today’s Game 4: the first time a team has ever played the same 5 players for a whole half.
No substitutions at all from JJ Redick pic.twitter.com/yIWP2hkiAY
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) April 27, 2025
With this victory, the Timberwolves took a decisive step toward the second round, leading the Lakers 3-1 in the series. The next game will be held in Los Angeles, where the Lakers must win on Thursday (May 1) to stay alive.
The opening minutes featured a high pace and constant lead changes. Luka Doncic and LeBron James helped the visitors claim early control. Julius Randle and Anthony Edwards answered the challenge, but the Lakers held a 4-point lead after the first quarter.
Edwards’ brilliance powered the Timberwolves to a complete turnaround in the second quarter, with Randle playing a key role as Minnesota went into halftime ahead 61-58.
The Lakers regained the lead early in the second half, as Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Doncic all found their range from beyond the arc. Randle and Edwards kept Minnesota’s hopes alive, but the visitors built a 10-point advantage after three quarters.
Heroics from Edwards and a strong contribution off the bench by Naz Reid inspired another comeback for the Timberwolves at the start of the fourth, giving them a 1-point lead with four minutes to go. The dramatic final minutes, filled with clutch shots, saw several lead changes. A three-point play by Jaden McDaniels gave the Wolves a 1-point advantage. In the final 9.5 seconds, Edwards hit two free throws after a foul by James, extending the lead to three. On the final possession, Reaves missed a three-pointer at the buzzer, sealing Minnesota’s win.
In an unprecedented moment in NBA Playoff history, JJ Redick made no substitutions for the entire second half, marking the first time a team played the same five players throughout entire half.
Anthony Edwards was the driving force for Minnesota, finishing with 43 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 made three-pointers. Julius Randle added 25 points and 9 rebounds, Jaden McDaniels recorded 16 points and 11 rebounds, and Naz Reid scored 12 points.
Luka Doncic delivered a heroic effort for the Lakers with 38 points and 5 made three-pointers. LeBron James tallied 27 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists but was also responsible for the Lakers’ collapse in the final seconds. Rui Hachimura posted 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 made threes.