News, notes and observations from Tuesday’s play-in games, as we are still reeling from an absolutely bonkers Lakers-Timberwolves play-in clash.
It wasn’t pretty, but the Lakers move on
- What a wild game in Los Angeles. Through three quarters the Timberwolves—the Rudy Gobert–less, Jaden McDaniels–less, barely functional Timberwolves—looked poised to force the Lakers into Friday’s win-or-go-home game just to make the playoffs. Karl-Anthony Towns was outplaying Anthony Davis. Mike Conley was dominating D’Angelo Russell. L.A.’s vaunted defense was allowing Minnesota to shoot 51.7% from the floor and 41.1% from three-point range. In the fourth quarter, Towns got into foul trouble, the T-Wolves’ offense collapsed and the Lakers, which outscored Minnesota 29–16 in the fourth quarter and overtime, came away with a 108–102 overtime win.
