MINNEAPOLIS – Julius Randle scored 18 points and Rudy Gobert had 17 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves past the Los Angeles Lakers 109-80 on Monday night.

According to Sportradar, Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker each scored 15 points for the Wolves (10-10), giving the Lakers their lowest point total since a 122-73 loss in Dallas in 2017.

Anthony Edwards had just eight points on 3-for-13 shooting for the Wolves, but his Olympic teammates LeBron James and Anthony Davis were just as quiet for the Lakers (12-9).

James, who missed 19 straight 3-pointers, had 10 points on 4-for-16 shooting. Davis had 12 points and 11 rebounds. D’Angelo Russell scored 20 points in his return from illness and into the starting lineup.

After beating Utah 105-104 on Sunday, the Lakers traveled east to a different time zone to face a team they beat 110-103 in the season opener behind 36 points and 16 rebounds from Davis.

Takeaways

Lakers: Rookie coach JJ Redick rated his team as “uneven and inconsistent” at the quarter of the season. The Lakers’ fifth loss in their last seven games didn’t even surpass that bar.

Timberwolves: With its defense firmly in hand, Minnesota’s other priorities include reviving its transition game and 3-point shooting. Both boxes were checked. The Timberwolves went 15 for 35 from deep and had 20 fast break points.

Key moment

Gobert, a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, was a huge disruptor against Davis and the Lakers. Gobert stole an inbounds pass from Max Christie for a rare fast-break dunk late in the third.

Key statistics

The Wolves held their opponents under 100 points for the second straight time and fourth time this season. In the 2023-24 season, when they led the league in goal defense, they held their opponents to double figures 23 times.

Next

The Lakers play at the Miami Heat on Wednesday when the Wolves visit the Los Angeles Clippers.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA