Lakers Struggle Without Center in Game 3 Loss to Timberwolves

MINNEAPOLIS — The Los Angeles Lakers find themselves in a tough spot after a 116-104 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 3 of their playoff series on April 25. The Lakers are now down two games to one in the first round, and their lack of a reliable center has emerged as a significant issue.

Throughout the season, the Lakers managed to conceal their problems in the paint, but against the Timberwolves, the absence of a strong big man has turned critical. Coach JJ Redick acknowledged the team’s struggles, especially in rim protection, as Jaden McDaniels and Anthony Edwards dominated the paint, combining for 59 points.

“The fact is we don’t have rim protection,” Redick said. “So if you give up blow-bys, we’re gonna give up something.” The Timberwolves outscored the Lakers 56-26 in the paint, illustrating their offensive dominance.

LeBron James led the Lakers with 38 points, but Luka Doncic struggled due to illness, which affected his performance. He was unable to find his shot, playing through severe discomfort that left him nauseous before the game.

Despite having 7-foot center Jaxson Hayes on their roster, the Lakers have kept his playtime minimal. Hayes recorded only nine minutes in Game 3 and had a damaging plus/minus of minus-13. Redick’s reluctance to utilize Hayes has raised questions about the team’s decisions this season.

The Lakers had considered trading for center Paul Williams before the deadline, but concerns during his physical exam led them to back off. Williams has remained healthy since then, adding to the frustration for Lakers fans as the team struggles with depth in the frontcourt.

No matter the past decisions, Redick remains optimistic about overcoming their size disadvantage. “We’ve done it all year,” he said. “When we’ve been at our best, we’ve been able to be physical on the ball and not allow blow-bys.”

Forward Dorian Finney-Smith emphasized the need for improved defense. “Just gotta do a better job of standing in front of the ball,” he said. “It was just on-ball defense and rotations where we lacked urgency.”

As the series continues, the Lakers will need to find solutions quickly if they look to avoid an early playoff exit. With key players like James and Doncic, the team remains hopeful, but the absence of a formidable center presents a formidable challenge.