Lakers Overtake Timberwolves in Standings With 123–111 Win

Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns works toward the basket while defended by Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) and forward Wenyen Gabriel (35) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Minneapolis, on March 31, 2023. Abbie Parr/AP Photo

MINNEAPOLIS—Anthony Davis scored 17 of his 38 points in the fourth quarter and had 17 rebounds to lift the Los Angeles Lakers past Minnesota 123–111 and leapfrog the Timberwolves on Friday night in the crowded Western Conference playoff race.

“You’ve got to have that one pivotal force that’s leading the charge, and in our case with this particular team here in the moment it’s AD,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said. “When he comes out and he’s aggressive and we’re feeding him and he’s not settling and he’s putting pressure on the paint, putting pressure on the rim, we find ourselves having a lot of success.”