To say that the Los Angeles Lakers' game against the Minnesota Timberwolves was a disaster is an understatement. Despite it being a close match at the half, the Lakers inexplicably collapsed in the third quarter, leading to an 83 – 107 drubbing from the 4 – 7 Timberwolves. It was an embarrassing defeat for a team that is expected to contend for a title this season.
The key to their collapse? Ball movement, or the lack thereof. ESPN noted that the Lakers' starting five combined for only six assists. That's the fewest assists by any starting lineup in the past four years. The Lakers as a whole had 17 assists, which is still not a good look.
The Lakers were outscored by 28 points in the 3rd quarter against the Timberwolves tonight, their 2nd-worst points differential in *any* quarter in the shot-clock era (1954-55).
Lakers starters combined for just 6 Ast, their fewest in a game over the last 4 seasons.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 13, 2021
This, along with the Lakers' shooting woes in the game (35.4% from the field, only 22% from deep), was the catalyst for the crushing 40 – 12 third quarter that sealed their fate. That also was another record, as it's the second-worst point differential in ANY quarter for the franchise since the shot-clock era.
Obviously, LeBron James missing significant time with an injury factors into this collapse. However, this Lakers team still has Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook, two top-20 All-Stars in the league. Logic dictates that the Lakers should still escape with a win over the lowly Timberwolves. Alas, it wasn't the case, as the visiting team took advantage of the mishaps and turned it into a signature victory.
Luckily for Lakers fans, help is on the way. LeBron is nearing his return according to Frank Vogel, and all will be all right in Lakeshow. In the meantime, Davis and Westbrook need to figure out a way to win without their big superstar.
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