The Minnesota Timberwolves reclaimed the series lead against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs following a huge 116-104 victory at Target Center Friday night.

The Timberwolves surely got a boost from their fans at home, who fed Minnesota with energy, especially down the stretch, as the Timberwolves pulled away from the Lakers.

After playing two games in Los Angeles, the Timberwolves seemingly loved being back at Target Center, where 19,312 fans watched Minnesota handle its business against LeBron James and the visiting Lakers.

“Felt like a playoff atmosphere,” Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels told reporters after the game about playing at home (via Timberwolves Clips). “It was better than the Lakers crowd, for sure.” 

Minnesota big man Naz Reid agreed with McDaniels’ take about the fans.

“They are the real 6th man, they get us going,” Reid shared.

The support from the Timberwolves fans certainly had a positive impact on the team, including McDaniels, who paced Minnesota with 30 points on 13-for-22 shooting from the field. He can also be credited for his defense against Laker star Luka Doncic, who needed 17 attempts from the field to get to 17 points.

Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards lit up Los Angeles with 29 points on 12-for-26 shooting. The Timberwolves played just eight players in Game 3, but their bench still outscored the Lakers, 25-19.

The game was tight until Minnesota broke away in the fourth quarter, as the Timberwolves outscored the Lakers, 13-3, in the last five minutes of the contest.

Minnesota can grab the series lead again with a win in Game 4 on Sunday, still at Target Center. 

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