LeBron James Struggles as Lakers Fall to Timberwolves 109-80 in Season-Low Scoring Performance
LeBron James scores just 10 points in the Lakers' 109-80 loss to the Timberwolves, marking his lowest total of the season. Despite strong bench play from Minnesota and an off-night for the Lakers, James extends his streak of double-digit scoring games to 1,243.
LeBron James managed only 10 points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 109-80 defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday, marking his lowest scoring performance of the season. James had been the Lakers' leading scorer just four times this season, with Anthony Davis taking the top spot 11 times. While James doesn't need to score the most for the team to win, a performance like this makes it hard for the Lakers to succeed.
This marked just the 17th time in his career that James finished a game with 10 or fewer points, yet his streak of 1,243 consecutive games with double-digit points continues, setting an NBA record. He reached the 10-point mark late in the fourth quarter, hitting two free throws with 8:51 remaining. Before that, he had only 8 points in the final period.
James' previous season-low was 11 points in a loss to the Phoenix Suns on October 28. He had 12 points in the Lakers' loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday, which raised questions about his physical condition. Cameras caught him flexing his right hand while sitting on the bench in the latter part of Monday's game after coach JJ Redick emptied the bench during the blowout. D'Angelo Russell was the top scorer for the Lakers with 20 points, including a perfect 4-of-5 from three-point range. Anthony Davis chipped in 12 points with 11 rebounds and five assists, while Rui Hachimura added 10 points to match James' total. Dalton Knecht contributed six points, but his 0-for-5 performance from beyond the arc hurt the team.
The 80 points the Lakers scored was their lowest total of the season. The team had been on the second night of a back-to-back, following a close 105-104 victory over the Utah Jazz on Sunday. Meanwhile, Minnesota, having had two days off, seemed to be unaffected by the Lakers' low energy. The Timberwolves didn't take full control until Rudy Gobert’s breakaway dunk put them up 86-66 with 10 minutes left in the final quarter.
Julius Randle led the Timberwolves with 18 points, while Gobert added 17 points and 12 rebounds. The real difference in the game was Minnesota’s bench, which contributed 54 points. Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker each scored 15 points. The Timberwolves also shot 43% from three-point range, converting 15 of 35 attempts, while the Lakers struggled, shooting only 19%. Mike Conley and Donte DiVincenzo helped stretch the lead with three successful three-pointers each.
The Lakers will take a one-day break before facing the Miami Heat on Wednesday. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, will head to Los Angeles for a game against the Clippers.