Lakers vs. Timberwolves: Christmas Day start time, TV schedule and game preview

The Los Angeles Lakers will host the Minnesota Timberwolves to cap off the NBA’s annual Christmas Day showcase, but the excitement for this game on paper when announced has already faded. Injuries are piling up for the Lakers, which may leave fans with a lump of coal by the end of the night.

Lonzo Ball has been ruled out of the primetime game with a sprained left shoulder. Brandon Ingram’s status remains in the air after sitting out of the Lakers’ loss to the Portland Trail Blazers with injuries to his quadriceps. These two new injuries, along with Brook Lopez expected to miss close to a month after spraining his ankle, have left the Lakers looking ragged.

Any team missing three of their five starters is going to be in trouble. The Lakers, who’ve lost five of their last six games, might just be doomed until that normalizes a bit more. Minnesota will be rolling in to Los Angeles close to full strength, with Nemanja Bjelica as the only question mark Monday night.

Minnesota hasn’t wasted any time tearing into the NBA, racking up a 20-13 record since the arrival of Jimmy Butler. Butler and Karl-Anthony Towns have become a lethal one-two punch, averaging a combined 41.1 points per game. That’s lifted Minnesota up to fifth-overall in offensive rating, averaging 109.3 points per 100 possessions.

Let’s find out if the Lakers can come together to deliver a sweet victory to cap off Christmas Day for fans. Enjoy the game, and happy holidays from me to you.

Time: 7:30 p.m. pt

TV: TNT