Anthony Edwards scored 23 points on 9-for-20 shooting and the Minnesota Timberwolves cruised to a 97-87 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night in Minneapolis.

Julius Randle finished the game with 21 points for Minnesota, which won for the fifth time in its last six games. Jaden McDaniels scored 18 points and Rudy Gobert posted a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds.

Anthony Davis scored 23 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead Los Angeles, which never led in its last 11 contests and lost for the eighth time. Austin Reaves contributed 18 points and Max Christie scored 15.

LeBron James was unable to play due to pain in his left foot. It was only the second time this season that the Lakers played without James, who turns 40 on Dec. 30.

Minnesota shot 40.2 percent (35 of 87) from the field and 28.1 percent (9 of 32) from distance. Los Angeles shot 38.4 percent overall (33 of 86) and 28.6 percent (10 of 35) from distance.

The Lakers pulled within 87-82 with 2:33 remaining in the fourth quarter. Davis made a 3-pointer from 25 feet to cut the deficit to five.

The Timberwolves responded by scoring the next six points to take an 11-point lead. McDaniels scored a layup, Edwards made three of four free throw attempts and Gobert made one of two free throw attempts during the run.

As the game progressed, Los Angeles never got closer than eight points.

The Lakers trailed 77-66 at the end of the third quarter.

Edwards scored 11 points on 5-for-7 shooting in the third quarter. No other player on either team scored more than five points in the quarter.

The Timberwolves even led by 14 points before halftime. Donte DiVincenzo converted a 3-pointer to give Minnesota a 32-18 lead with 1:04 left in the first quarter.

The Lakers cut the deficit to 50-44 at halftime. Reaves ended the first half with a three-pointer assisted by Christie.

–Field level media