With 0.7 seconds left and the Los Angeles Lakers trailing by one, Austin Reaves caught the inbounds pass near the left elbow, drove hard into the paint, and flipped a soft floater over two defenders — the ball swished through the net as the buzzer sounded. The Target Center fell silent. The Minnesota Timberwolves had just erased a 20-point deficit, only to watch their celebration turn to shock. Final score: 116-115. It happened on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, in front of nearly 18,000 fans, and it wasn’t just a win — it was a statement.
When the Lead Vanished
The Lakers led 89-69 with 7:42 left in the fourth quarter. It looked like a routine road victory. Then, everything unraveled. Minnesota Timberwolves guard Malik Beasley hit back-to-back threes. Jaden McDaniels slashed for a pair of dunks. By the 2:15 mark, the lead was gone. The crowd roared. The Lakers called timeout, their composure cracking. The Los Angeles Lakers hadn’t lost a game all season when leading by 20+ — until now. They were on the brink.
Who Carried the Load?
With LeBron James out with a calf strain and Gabe Vincent sidelined by a sprained ankle, the Lakers’ offense leaned entirely on their young guard corps. Austin Reaves delivered 37 points — his highest of the season — on 14-of-25 shooting, including 5-of-8 from deep. He added six assists and three steals. Nick Smith Jr., the 21-year-old former Hornets starter, chipped in 18 points off the bench, including a clutch three with 42 seconds left that briefly gave the Lakers the lead. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, got 29 from Anthony Edwards’ replacement, Jaylen Nowell, and 22 from Karl-Anthony Towns, who dominated inside despite double-teams.
Missing Stars, Big Implications
Neither team had their full strength. The Minnesota Timberwolves were without Anthony Edwards, their 23-year-old All-Star shooting guard, who missed the game due to an undisclosed personal matter — a rare absence that sent shockwaves through Minnesota’s locker room. He’d been averaging 25.7 points and 9.8 rebounds. On the Lakers’ side, LeBron James, 40, was resting after playing 41 minutes the night before against Phoenix. His absence forced Reaves into a lead role — and he responded. Gabe Vincent’s injury, expected to sideline him for two weeks, further strained the Lakers’ backcourt depth.
What This Means for the Standings
Before the game, both teams were 2-2. Afterward, the Los Angeles Lakers improved to 3-2, moving into second place in the Pacific Division, behind only the Golden State Warriors (4-1). The Minnesota Timberwolves fell to 2-3, slipping into fifth place in the Northwest Division, behind Oklahoma City, Denver, Portland, and tied with Utah. Every win matters now — with 80 games left, early-season momentum can define playoff positioning. This wasn’t just a road win. It was a statement that the Lakers, even without their stars, can still win in the most brutal fashion.
What’s Next?
The Los Angeles Lakers continue their road trip with back-to-back games in Chicago on Friday and Detroit on Saturday. Reaves’ confidence is soaring — he’s now averaging 35.8 points per game, third in the NBA. The Minnesota Timberwolves stay home to face the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday, with Edwards expected to return. But the question lingers: Can they close out games without him? And can the Lakers keep winning when James and Vincent are out?
Why This Game Will Be Remembered
This wasn’t just another October game. It was the kind of moment that defines a season — and a player. Reaves, once a G League afterthought, is now the guy the Lakers turn to when everything’s on the line. His buzzer-beater was the 12th game-winner of his career, and the first that came on the road against a top-5 Western Conference team. The play was eerily similar to his 2023 dagger against Sacramento — same side, same move, same silence after the net rustled. Fans in Minneapolis won’t forget it. And Lakers fans? They’re starting to believe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Austin Reaves manage to score 37 points without LeBron James or Gabe Vincent?
With LeBron James resting and Gabe Vincent sidelined by an ankle sprain, Reaves was thrust into a primary playmaker role. He exploited mismatches against smaller guards, attacked the rim with aggressive drives, and hit five three-pointers — including the game-winner. His ability to create his own shot in isolation, combined with Nick Smith Jr.’s off-ball movement, kept the Timberwolves’ defense off-balance. Reaves averaged 35.8 points per game entering the matchup, and this performance solidified him as one of the NBA’s most efficient scorers in clutch situations.
Why was Anthony Edwards absent, and how did it affect the Timberwolves?
The Minnesota Timberwolves did not disclose the reason for Anthony Edwards’ absence, though sources close to the team suggested it was a personal matter, not injury-related. Edwards, averaging 25.7 points and nearly 10 rebounds, is their offensive engine and emotional leader. Without him, Minnesota lacked a true closer in the final minutes. Jaylen Nowell stepped up with 29 points, but the team missed Edwards’ ability to draw double-teams and create for others — a gap that became evident in the closing seconds of the game.
What does this win mean for the Lakers’ playoff chances?
The Lakers’ 3-2 record puts them in a strong position early in the Pacific Division, trailing only the Warriors. With LeBron James expected to return soon and Reaves proving he can carry the offense, Los Angeles has two legitimate scoring threats. If they can maintain this level of play without their stars, they’ll be a dangerous 4-6 seed come April. This win over a playoff-caliber team like Minnesota shows they’re deeper than last year’s squad — and more resilient.
Is this Reaves’ breakout season?
It’s looking that way. Reaves entered the season with career averages of 11.4 points per game. He’s now averaging 35.8 — a 214% increase. His efficiency (54% FG, 45% from three) and clutch shooting have drawn comparisons to Klay Thompson in his prime. Coaches have praised his decision-making under pressure. If he sustains this level for the next 20 games, he could earn his first All-Star selection — and the Lakers may have found their long-term backcourt anchor.
How did the Timberwolves blow a 20-point lead?
Minnesota’s defense collapsed in the fourth quarter, allowing the Lakers to shoot 61% from the field over the final 12 minutes. They abandoned their zone defense too early, letting Reaves and Smith Jr. find rhythm. The Timberwolves also turned the ball over four times in the last three minutes, including a critical pass that led to Reaves’ game-winning possession. While they played hard, their lack of a true closer without Edwards cost them — and it’s a pattern that could haunt them in tight games all season.
Where does this game rank among buzzer-beaters in NBA history?
It won’t top Michael Jordan’s ‘Flu Game’ or Ray Allen’s 2013 Finals three, but Reaves’ shot ranks among the most dramatic of the 2025-2026 season. It was a 17-foot floater with two defenders closing in, no timeout, and a 20-point comeback just undone. Only three buzzer-beaters this season have come on the road against a top-5 team with the game tied or trailing — this was the most improbable. Broadcasters are already calling it ‘The Minneapolis Miracle.’
