On a rough shooting night for both teams, the Los Angeles Lakers held on for a 110-103 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves Tuesday in the season opener for both teams.
The Lakers secured the win in JJ Redick’s debut as head coach.
The game also marked the debut for Bronny James, who took the floor with LeBron James for the first time as the father-son duo checked in together late in the second quarter. Bronny played three scoreless minutes as the Lakers ensured that the anticipated debut wouldn’t linger past the first game of the season.
While the James family made headlines, Anthony Davis was the star on the court in a 36-point, 16-rebound performance to lead the Lakers effort. By the end of the night, Davis was hearing MVP chants from the home Lakers crowd.
The Timberwolves struggled to find scoring in their first game since trading away Karl-Anthony Towns. Anthony Edwards led the way for Minnesota with 27 points, six rebounds and three assists. Julius Randle scored 16 in his Timberwolves debut.
Celtics 132, Knicks 109
There’s no championship hangover in Boston.
The Celtics hung their 18th banner and tried on their new rings in a pregame ceremony Tuesday night. They then proceeded to trounce the New York Knicks, picking up where they left off in June with a 132-109 win to open the new NBA season, tying a 3-point record in the process.
Jayson Tatum started the game with a 3-pointer in the game’s opening 10 seconds. It was a sign of things to come as Boston torched the Knicks with a 29-of-61 effort from 3-point distance, tying an NBA record for 3s made in a single game. The Milwaukee Bucks previously set the record with 29 3-pointers in a 144-97 romp over the Miami Heat in 2020.
Tatum, who spent the bulk of his summer in Paris on the bench as a little-used Olympian, led the way and again showed his chops as the centerpiece of a championship team. He finished the game with 37 points, 10 assists, and four rebounds while shooting 14 of 18 from the field and 8 of 11 from 3.
There was no comeback for the Timberwolves. On a big night for Anthony Davis, the Lakers secured a 110-103 win over the Timberwolves in JJ Redick’s debut as an NBA head coach.
Lakers extend lead back to 10
The Lakers responded to the Timberwolves run to extend their lead to 103-93 with 3:37 remaining. Minnesota needs some stops down the stretch.
Timberwolves cut Lakers’ lead to 4
Minnesota opened the fourth quarter with a 7-3 run to cut the Lakers’ lead to 85-81 and force a timeout. A Naz Reid 3 capped a 12-3 run that extended to the third quarter.
Lakers 82, Timberwolves 74 after 3 quarters
The Timberwolves cut the Lakers lead to single digits with a 7-2 run to end the third quarter and remain in striking distance.
Anthony Davis is the best player on the court through 3 quarters with 25 points and 12 rebounds. Anthony Edwards leads the Timberwolves with 19 points and 5 five rebounds. He’s made 4 of 9 3-point attempts. Minnesota will need a big fourth quarter from its young star to mount a rally.
Do Timberwolves miss KAT?
The Timberwolves traded away an All-Star level scorer and rebounder in Karl-Anthony Towns. They’ve allowed 14 offensive rebounds to the Lakers so far and face a 74-55 discrepancy in field goal attempts.
They’re still in striking distance as the Lakers hold a 77-65 lead late in the third quarter. But they’re struggling on offense and on the boards.
Anthony Davis denies Rudy Gobert
Anthony Davis has been one of the NBA’s best defenders since he first stepped foot on an NBA court. He’s never won Defensive Player of the Year. This block on reigning and four-time DPOY Rudy Gobert must have felt good.
The second half is underway. Can the Timberwolves make it a game?
Lebron’s pep talk to Bronny
Here’s LeBron getting Bronny ready from the bench just moments before their father-son debut on the court.
Halftime stats, observations
Anthony Davis leads the Lakers at halftime with 12 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists. Rui Hachimura has 11 points. LeBron James has eight. Rookie Dalton Knecht scored five quick points in his first NBA action off the bench. Bronny James posted 0 points on two shots and tallied a single rebound in a brief appearance alongside his dad late in the half.
Anthony Edwards has largely been a one-man show for the Timberwolves with 14 points and 3 rebounds. Nickeil Alexander-Walker is Minnesota’s next-leading scorer with 7 points off the bench.
The Lakers are shooting just 41.5% (22 of 53) from the field and 15.8% from 3 (3 of 19), but have limited Minnesota to 16 field goals on just 39 attempts (41%) while forcing 10 Timberwolves turnovers.
Lakers take 55-42 lead into half
The Lakers opened the second quarter with a 29-9 run to open up a 51-32 lead late in the second quarter. The Timberwolves battled back to cut into their deficit and trail the Lakers, 55-42 at halftime.
Bronny back to the bench
Bronny James’ first turn in the rotation as an NBA player lasted 2:41. He took and missed two shots including a 3-point attempt on a pass from LeBron and heads back to the bench with 1:19 remaining in the half. He logged a rebound before leaving the game.
The James’ had their moment. Will we see Bronny again tonight in anything other than garbage time?
LeBron, Bronny make their debut
With the Lakers holding a 51-35 lead and four minutes remaining in the second quarter, the long-awaited moment for the James family has arrived. LeBron James and his son Bronny just came off the bench together to make their father-son debut on an NBA court in a regular-season game.
Dalton Knecht drills first NBA 3-point attempt
Lakers rookie and former Tennessee star Dalton Knecht got his NBA career off to a strong start. He curled off a screen and pulled up to drill a 3-pointer from the top of the key on his first NBA field-goal attempt.
Lakers run forces TWolves timeout
The Lakers have opened the second quarter with a 12-4 run to take a 34-27 lead. The Timberwolves called timeout in an effort to stop the bleeding.
END OF Q1: Timberwolves 23, Lakers 22
Minnesota ends the quarter on an 11-4 run to take the first lead as the first quarter ends. Anthony Edwards leads all scorers with eight points.
Lakers seem more active on the boards
One thing JJ Redick has spoken about improving with the Lakers is an emphasis on offensive rebounding, where they ranked last in the NBA last season. Early returns on that are solid, with four boards on 13 misses despite elite defensive rebounder Rudy Gobert being on the other team.
Lakers lead 11-7 at first timeout
The Lakers might not have made many personnel changes over the offseason, but LeBron James still looking like LeBron James is nice. The Timberwolves offense still looks like a work in progress after trading Karl-Anthony Towns for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, with as many turnovers as baskets.
Ken Griffey Jr. and Sr. in the house to watch LeBron and Bronny make history
Bronny James checking in and becoming the younger half of the NBA’s first on-court father-son pair is being treated as an eventuality. Two of the few people who can relate are in attendance.
Lakers, and Rui Hachimura in particular, off to a good start
Timberwolves-Lakers tips off
The new $110 million man wins the tip and we’re off at Crypto.com Arena.
