Lakers vs. Timberwolves Game Preview: Battle of the rising stars

The Los Angeles Lakers easily dispatched the New Orleans Pelicans, drilling a one-win team and coming out unscathed aside from an ankle tweak from Brandon Ingram. The purple and gold wrap up their three-game road trip with a battle in Minnesota against the Timberwolves featuring two of the most talented young cores in the NBA.

Ingram is officially listed as questionable, though he was prepared to return against the Pelicans.

Karl-Anthony Towns, D’Angelo Russell, Andrew Wiggins, Julius Randle, Kris Dunn, Ingram, Zach LaVine, Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance, Jr. could form a team that would be a formidable force in the NBA. Instead, they’ll clash in a battle of some of the best young talent the league has to offer, offering a great test for both teams.

Julius Randle has been running wild against his fellow Kentucky Wildcats, beating out DeMarcus Cousins and Willie Caulie-Stein in Sacramento, Anthony Davis in New Orleans, and Devin Booker and Eric Bledsoe in a win over the Phoenix Suns. A win over Towns would be like hitting jackpot for him, though.

Beating the Timberwolves would be a huge validation for the Lakers, who’ve won five of their last six games and have been one of the biggest surprises in the NBA. A “good” team would go into Minnesota and end the road trip with a victory, and all signs have pointed to the Lakers being well ahead of schedule in the “good” department.

A fantastic challenge for both teams is a great cap to a week of hoops. Enjoy the game!

Time: 4 p.m. PT

TV: Spectrum SportsNet