It was the long-awaited game. In a game that was at stake for 7th place in the West, Wolves and Lakers were playing very big at Target Center. More aggressive defensively, and much better inspired offensively, Minnesota led by 10 points at the break (65-55). Back from the locker room, Karl-Anthony Towns teammates return with the same intensity, and take up to 13 points ahead.
Then, suddenly, the light goes out on the side of Minnesota. The Lakers, without ideas until then, will tighten the bolts defensively, and achieve an impressive run of 24-2! An icy storm from which the Wolves will never recover, thus bowing in front of their public (123-111).
“We lost balls that hurt us. We struggled to score, then we were hanging our heads, and we weren’t coming back to defend on transitions.” detailed Chris Finch. “These are old habits that we cannot accept at this time of the season”.
Anthony Davis’ injury changed everything
Curiously, the match turned when Anthony Davis was injured. After recovering a rebound, the Lakers pivot accidentally steps on the foot of Wenyen Gabriel, his teammate, who was struggling under the circle with Rudy Gobert. Consequently, Davis loses control of the ball and stays on the ground for long seconds, without the game being stopped. The ball then returns to the hands of Rudy Gobert, who, seeing Anthony Davis writhing in pain on the ground, prefers to bring out the ball rather than attack the basket.
The Lakers, then led 76-68, will score 4 consecutive points in numerical inferiority. This is just the start of a fatal run that Minnesota will never recover from. Behind, Anthony Davis will return to the game stronger than ever, and will finish the game with 38 points and 17 rebounds.
As a reminder, Anthony Davis had already seriously injured his foot last season when he fell on the foot of Rudy Gobert. Maybe that played in the Frenchman’s head.
“When I think about it, it’s a bit like we lost our talent when his injury happened. It was crazy “ said Rudy Gobert. “I had the ball in my hands and I could have dunked, but AD was there, on the ground. So I thought that was too ruthless, and I made the pass. After that, we chained the loss of balls. It was a tough streak, we never got back into our game afterwards.”.
A huge air pocket which is very expensive for Wolves, because with this defeat, they find themselves 9th, and see the Lakers go ahead in the standings.
