Copyright Athlon Sports
The Los Angeles Lakers are on the road on Wednesday night as they travel to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves in a Western Conference showdown. Los Angeles enters Wednesday’s game with a 2-2 record after dropping their last game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night. In Monday’s loss to the Trail Blazers, Austin Reaves led the way for the Lakers as he recorded 41 points, four rebounds and five assists while Deandre Ayton ended the game with 16 points and eight rebounds. Now the Lakers will try to bounce back on Wednesday night on the road against the Timberwolves as they seek their third victory of the season. On the other side, the Timberwolves also enter Wednesday’s game with a 2-2 record after losing to the Denver nuggets on Monday night. Jaden McDaniels led the way for the Timberwolves in Monday’s loss as he ended the game with 25 points and four blocks while Julius Randle added 24 points and seven rebounds of his own. While both teams are looking for their third win of the season in Wednesday’s matchup, both squads will be without some of their key players due to injuries. Lakers Injury Report, Will Luka Doncic, Marcus Smart Play? For the Lakers, they have seven players listed on their injury report for Wednesday’s game, including stars Luka Doncic and LeBron James. Los Angeles has ruled out Doncic due to a left finger sprain and lower left leg contusion that is set to sidelined him for at least a week while James remains sidelined due to right sciatica. The Lakers have also ruled out Maxi Kleber, Adou Thiero, Gabe Vincent and Marcus Smart for Wednesday’s game while Jaxson Hayes will be available after missing three consecutive games due to a knee injury. With the injuries pilling up for the Lakers early in the season, they will need players outside of Reaves to step up until some of their key pieces return. Timberwolves Injury Report, Will Anthony Edwards, Rob Dillingham Play? On the other side, the Timberwolves have two players listed on their injury report for Wednesday’s game, including star guard Anthony Edwards. Edwards has been ruled out for Wednesday’s matchup due to a right hamstring strain that is expected to sideline him for at least two weeks. This is a massive blow for the Timberwolves and Mike Conley and Terrence Shannon Jr. could be in line for larger roles while Edwards is sidelined. Minnesota has also listed Jaylen Clark as questionable due to a left calf strain but the good news for the Timberwolves is that Rob Dillingham will be available despite dealing with a nose injury. Fans can catch Wednesday’s matchup between the Lakers and Timberwolves from the Target Center at 9:30 p.m. EST on ESPN. Toronto Raptors Final Injury Report for Rockets-Raptors, Will Dorian Finney-Smith, Jakob Poeltl Play? Nathaniel Holloway
