Timberwolves push Lakers to edge of elimination with 116-113 comeback win behind Edwards’ 43 points

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — After an up-and-down regular season, the Minnesota Timberwolves are peaking at the right time.

Jaden McDaniels sparked a late rally with a crucial three-point play and a steal off LeBron James in the final minute, lifting the Timberwolves to a 116-113 comeback win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday. The victory gave Minnesota a 3-1 lead in their first-round playoff series.

Anthony Edwards led the way with 43 points, his highest total of this postseason. He sealed the win with two clutch free throws after drawing a foul on James with 10 seconds left.

With the Lakers needing a three to tie, James and Luka Doncic were both locked down on the perimeter, forcing the ball to Austin Reaves. His corner shot rattled off the rim as time expired.

Julius Randle contributed 25 points, and McDaniels finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds. The Wolves rallied from a 12-point deficit late in the third quarter.

Doncic, who was battling a stomach bug earlier in the series, rebounded with 38 points on 13-of-28 shooting. However, he struggled late, going just 1-for-6 in the fourth quarter. The Lakers now face elimination as the series shifts back to Los Angeles for Game 5 on Wednesday.

LeBron James recorded 27 points and 12 rebounds, surpassing Wilt Chamberlain for the third-most playoff double-doubles in NBA history with his 144th. He now trails only Tim Duncan (164) and Magic Johnson (157). Despite his aggressive play and strong free-throw performance (15-of-18), James was held scoreless in the fourth.

Reaves and Dorian Finney-Smith briefly put the Lakers back in the lead with back-to-back threes late in the fourth, but the Timberwolves closed strong once again.

Minnesota’s fourth-quarter dominance has become a trend this series. They’ve outscored the Lakers 105-69 in the final period over the four games—a sharp contrast to their inconsistent regular-season finishes.