The Minnesota Timberwolves will return to action on Friday evening when they take on the Los Angeles Lakers at Target Center. It will be the Wolves' first game after four days in a row off, following their road loss to the Golden State Warriors on Sunday. The main difference for the extended time off here being that this game will be the first of two added to the schedule following the conclusion of NBA Cup play for Minnesota.
This home contest with the Lakers will mark the Timberwolves' second of such games in a span of 12 days, after playing at Target Center against Los Angeles on December 12. Minnesota took home the win in that one, beating the Lakers soundly with strong defense to the tune of a 109-80 final score.
Getting this game added to the schedule should present a solid opportunity for the Wolves to get back on track and iron out some of their shortcomings. Right now, Minnesota likely wants to improve some of their clutch time decision-making. Chris Finch has stated that the best method is to win by double digits and avoid those situations altogether, and it feels safe to say the Timberwolves will have a solid chance of doing that on Friday.
Is LeBron James playing tomorrow vs Timberwolves?
One big factor in determining if Minnesota will put the Lakers away before the closing minutes of the fourth quarter is the availability of LeBron James. Los Angeles' aging star is set to turn 40 years old at the end of the current month, but he has only missed one game so far this season.
It is looking like that number will become two games missed on Friday. According to a report from Shams Charania, LeBron "is unlikely to play Friday versus Timberwolves." After missing the Lakers' December 8 home win against the Portland Trail Blazers with foot soreness, James may get an extended period of rest leading up to Los Angeles' next game against Memphis on Sunday.
ESPN story with @mcten: Lakers star LeBron James is unlikely to play Friday versus Timberwolves. It would give James, who missed a Dec. 8 contest with foot soreness, eight days in between games if he returns Sunday against Memphis. https://t.co/GbPI308meN
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 12, 2024
Full Timberwolves injury report vs Lakers
The Timberwolves have not released an updated injury report since prior to the Golden State game. In that update, Jaylen Clark (two-way), Rob Dillingham (right ankle sprain), Jesse Edwards (two-way), Joe Ingles (left soleus strain) and Leonard Miller (G League assignment) were all listed out.
Since then, Daishen Nix was also sent to the G League to get some reps with the Iowa Wolves. It is believed that Rob Dillingham could return to the floor on Friday against the Lakers after being out since November 27 vs the Sacramento Kings.
Full Lakers injury report vs Timberwolves
LeBron James (foot) is questionable, Austin Reaves (pelvis) is questionable, Jarred Vanderbilt (knee) is out, Jaxson Hayes (ankle) is out, and Christian Wood (knee) is out.