The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Los Angeles Lakers 127-117 on Sunday night, with the Lakers being their stars.
LeBron James missed Sunday’s game due to flu-like symptoms, and things got worse for Los Angeles during the game. Anthony Davis left the game after the first half with an eye injury he first suffered against the Golden State Warriors in March. according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
Davis played 12 minutes and had four issues before sitting out the rest of the game.
The Lakers controlled to remain competitive with James and Davis, while Rui Hachimura stepped up his efforts to keep Los Angeles in the game. Hachimura finished the night with 30 points, but it wasn’t enough for the win.
After the game, fans praised Hachimura for stepping up his efforts in the absence of James and Davis.
RUI HACHIMURA TONIGHT⚔️ 36 minutes ⚔️ 30 numbers ⚔️ 6 rebounds ⚔️ 17/11 FG⚔️ 4/5 3PTRUI DID HIS BEST WITH NO ANNOUNCEMENTS pic. twitter. com/Kw3M2Cj0On
Good competitive play by Rui to reach the cup
Huge Rui out there
Rui Hachimura tonight: 0 points 6 rebounds 64% FG4/5 p. m. pic. twitter. com/y77Q1rGDb
Rui Hachimura tonight:30 PTS6 REB11-17 FG4-5 3PPYa is enough for the Lakers LeBron and AD this noche. pic. twitter. com/U745OhnUyX
The Lakers lost to the Wolves, 127-117, to fall to 45-33 with 3 games remaining. Great nights for Rui (30p at 11-of-17 6rd), Hayes (19p at 8-of-9 10r-5s) and Dinwiddie (18p-7a) is still enough without LeBron and an injured AD in front of a strong MIN team.
Hachimura has a very intelligent player. I like his game.
LAL in the end couldn’t get over the absence of AD after the first question. Hachimura led the way in O, shooting 11 of 17 from the field (4 of five 3-pointers) in 30 numbers. Hayes has a season-high 18 problems with a career-high five steals. Russell and Reaves struggled in O, combining to shoot 9 of 33.
With the loss, the Lakers’ four-game winning streak came to an end. The winning streak has put them one game off sixth place, but they now remain in ninth place with a 45-34 record this season. Things aren’t getting much less difficult for Los Angeles, as on Tuesday they will face Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors, who are looking for a season-ending touch to improve their playoff standings.
Luckily for Lakers fans, it looks like Davis could be back on the court for this game, McMenamin reported. If he can’t make it back, L. A. will be in for another big game from Hachimura.