Los Angeles Lakers vs Minnesota Timberwolves Live Stream in the NBA Play-In Tournament
The Minnesota Timberwolves took a major step forward in their first-round playoff battle against the Los Angeles Lakers, clinching a 116-104 win in Game 3 on Friday night at Target Center in Minneapolis. With this victory, the Timberwolves now lead the Western Conference series 2-1.
Anthony Edwards shined once again for sixth-seeded Minnesota, posting 29 points along with eight rebounds and eight assists. Jaden McDaniels also had a breakout night, recording a career-best 30 points to help offset a historic performance by Lakers veteran LeBron James.
Despite the loss, James was phenomenal for the third-seeded Lakers, finishing the game with 38 points and 10 rebounds. Luka Doncic, who was reportedly battling an upset stomach, contributed with 17 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds.
The game was tightly contested, with the Lakers tying it at 103 apiece after a clutch basket from Doncic with just under five minutes left. However, the Timberwolves responded with a dominant 13-1 run to close out the match and seal the win.
What’s Next?
Game 4 is set for Sunday, once again in Minnesota, before the series heads back to Los Angeles for a critical Game 5 on Wednesday. Minnesota had previously dominated Game 1 (117-95), while the Lakers bounced back to take Game 2 (95-84).
LeBron James Makes History
Adding to the drama of the night, LeBron James etched his name into the record books once more. With his 35th point coming from a three-pointer midway through the fourth quarter, James set the record for the highest-scoring playoff game by a 40-year-old, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s previous mark of 32 points set back in 1987.
It was another milestone night for James, who notched his 100th career 20-point half in playoff history after pouring in 22 points before halftime.
Game Flow Summary:
Third Quarter: Timberwolves led 86-84 in a back-and-forth battle where no team pulled ahead by more than five points. Luka Doncic, despite his illness, found his rhythm and finished the third quarter strong.
Halftime: Lakers held a narrow 58-54 lead, thanks largely to LeBron’s explosive first half and Austin Reaves’ contribution of four three-pointers and 14 points.
While the Lakers found an offensive rhythm after struggling in Games 1 and 2 — shooting 52.4% from the field and 42.9% from beyond the arc — it wasn’t enough to contain a spirited Timberwolves squad.
How to Watch the NBA Without Cable
If you're looking to watch the game without a cable subscription, there are several streaming options available:
To watch the match via the official application of the competition:
Conclusion:
Game 3 served up a thrilling contest, filled with history-making performances and gritty basketball. With Minnesota now holding a 2-1 series lead, the pressure is squarely on the Lakers to respond in Game 4. Will LeBron and his team bounce back to even the series, or will the Timberwolves tighten their grip and move closer to advancing? All eyes will be on Sunday’s pivotal showdown at Target Center.