The Minnesota Timberwolves secured a commanding 109-80 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers at the Target Center on December 2, 2024. Despite this being the second game of a back-to-back for the struggling Lakers, the Timberwolves exhibited remarkable defensive and offensive prowess. Julius Randle led the Timberwolves with 18 points, while Rudy Gobert added a solid performance. The Lakers, hampered by a low shooting percentage and turnovers, saw standout D’Angelo Russell score 20 points, but were unable to match the Timberwolves' energy and skill. Meanwhile, LeBron James and Anthony Davis had underwhelming performances, contributing to the Lakers' loss in a tough NBA season.
The Los Angeles Lakers faced the Phoenix Suns in a crucial NBA Cup match on November 26, 2024, showcasing the return of superstars Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. The Suns ended their five-game losing streak with a decisive 127-100 victory, marking the Lakers' first loss in the cup. Despite the Lakers' early momentum from last season's NBA Cup win, the Suns capitalized on home-court advantage, highlighting LeBron James and Anthony Davis as pivotal for the Lakers while Kevin Durant and Devin Booker starred for the Suns. The game emphasized both teams' need to address ongoing challenges as they vie for dominance in the Western Conference.
On November 23, 2024, the Denver Nuggets secured a convincing 127-102 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Nikola Jokic starred for the Nuggets with a stellar performance, contributing 34 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists. Meanwhile, Michael Porter Jr. added significant support with 24 points and 11 rebounds. Despite a promising first half with a halftime lead of 63-57, the Lakers faltered in the second half, allowing the Nuggets to outscore them 70-39. This game continued the Nuggets' dominance over the Lakers, having won 13 of their last 14 matchups, further intensifying the rivalry.
On November 13, 2024, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 128-123 at the Crypto.com Arena. Lakers' star player LeBron James achieved his third consecutive triple-double, setting a record as the oldest player to do so in NBA history. The Lakers' victory marked their sixth consecutive home win, improving their season record to 7-4. The match was closely contested, with significant performances by Lakers' Anthony Davis and Grizzlies' Jaren Jackson Jr. Despite leading for much of the game, the Grizzlies succumbed in the final quarter as the Lakers surged ahead. The Grizzlies, now 7-5 in the season, faced critical foul troubles allowing the Lakers to secure the win with a final run. Fans look forward to the next games as both teams prepare for future challenges.