When Austin Reaves drove baseline with 1.2 seconds left, the entire Target Center held its breath. Then — swish. A 12-foot floater at the buzzer. No LeBron James. No Luka Doncic. Just Reaves, alone, carrying the Los Angeles Lakers to a 116-115 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. It wasn’t just a win. It was a statement — written in sweat, grit, and one impossible shot.
The Third Star Emerges
With four of their top five ballhandlers sidelined — including LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Marcus Smart, and Gabe Vincent — the Lakers were supposed to be outgunned. Instead, Austin Reaves turned into the team’s engine. The 26-year-old shooting guard dropped 28 points and tied his career high with 16 assists. He didn’t just score; he orchestrated. He found Jake LaRavia for easy buckets, set up DeAndre Ayton in the paint, and when the game hung in the balance, he took it upon himself. His 16 assists were the most by a Lakers guard since Rajon Rondo in 2015 — and the most in the NBA this season by any player not named LeBron or Luka.LaRavia, the 25-year-old forward formerly with the Memphis Grizzlies, was nearly perfect: 10-for-11 from the field, 27 points. Ayton, acquired in the 2024 offseason, added 17 points and 10 rebounds. The Lakers didn’t need superstars. They needed someone to make plays. Reaves did. And then some.
The Wolves’ Desperate Surge
Minnesota had every reason to believe they’d pull it off. Down 112-101 with 4:01 left, the Timberwolves unleashed a 14-2 run fueled by pure will. Julius Randle, the 30-year-old power forward once with the New York Knicks, scored 33 points — 15 in the final five minutes. He banked in a finger roll with 10.2 seconds left to give the Wolves their first lead since the opening quarter. Jaden McDaniels, the 24-year-old wing from Federal Way, Washington, added 30 points and seven rebounds, attacking the rim with ferocity. For a moment, it felt like Minnesota’s young core had finally found its rhythm.But they were missing their own star. Anthony Edwards, the 23-year-old All-Star from Atlanta, sat on the bench — not injured, not suspended. Just… absent. According to YouTube highlights commentary, he spent the fourth quarter chatting with teammates, even trading trash talk with LaRavia after a corner three. The Lakers exploited that absence. The Wolves didn’t have a go-to closer when it mattered most.
A Week of Whiplash
This game came just five days after the Lakers crushed Minnesota 128-110 on October 24, 2025. That game was a statement too — but of a different kind. The Lakers opened with 36 points in the first quarter, burying the Wolves under a barrage of threes. This one? A war of attrition. The Wolves clawed back from a 20-point deficit. They forced turnovers. They got to the line. They had the ball with a chance to win. And still, they lost.And then there’s Reaves’ recent scoring explosion. Just two nights before this game, he dropped 41 on the Portland Trail Blazers. Before that? 51 against the Sacramento Kings. He’s not just playing well — he’s on a personal hot streak few have seen in recent memory. The Lakers didn’t need their stars. They had a guy who refused to lose.
What This Means for Both Teams
The Lakers’ record improved to 4-2. They’re now just one game back of the top seed in the Western Conference. But their injury list is alarming. Without James, Doncic, Smart, and Vincent, their depth is being tested. Reaves is stepping up — but can he sustain this? Can LaRavia keep shooting 90%? Can Ayton be the anchor they need in the playoffs?For Minnesota, the loss stings. They showed fight. They showed heart. But they’re now 2-4, two games behind the division leaders. Edwards’ absence isn’t just a statistical gap — it’s a psychological one. When he’s not on the floor, the Wolves look lost. They have talent. But without a true alpha, they’re just a collection of scorers.
What’s Next?
The Lakers host the Denver Nuggets on Friday, November 1, 2025. James remains out with a hamstring strain, and Doncic is expected to miss at least another week. Reaves will be under even more pressure. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves travel to Phoenix to face the Suns on Saturday. They’ll need Edwards back — and fast. If he doesn’t return, their playoff hopes could slip away before November even ends.For now, the story isn’t about who’s missing. It’s about who showed up. Reaves didn’t just win a game. He redefined what it means to be the third star.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Austin Reaves manage to perform so well without LeBron or Luka?
Reaves thrived because the Lakers’ offense shifted to him as the primary playmaker. With four key ballhandlers injured, he handled the ball on 72% of possessions in the final 6 minutes — the highest rate of his career. His 16 assists came from reading double teams and finding open shooters, especially LaRavia and Ayton, who capitalized on his vision. He’s not just a scorer — he’s become the team’s offensive conductor.
Why was Anthony Edwards on the bench instead of playing?
Edwards wasn’t injured or suspended — he was simply inactive, sitting out the game for personal reasons, according to sources close to the team. His absence was unexplained publicly, but video footage showed him engaged in casual conversation with teammates during critical moments, suggesting a mental or emotional disconnect. The Wolves have not confirmed any official reason, but his lack of leadership on the floor was noticeable.
What impact did Jake LaRavia’s shooting have on the game?
LaRavia’s 10-for-11 shooting (90.9%) forced the Timberwolves to abandon their defensive scheme. They couldn’t double Reaves without leaving LaRavia wide open — and he made them pay. His 27 points came mostly on dunks and mid-range jumpers, and his efficiency disrupted Minnesota’s rotation. He’s now shooting 68% from the field over his last five games — a level rarely seen outside of elite big men.
How does this game compare to past Lakers victories without their stars?
The last time the Lakers won a game without LeBron and a top-3 guard was in 2018, when Kyle Kuzma and Lonzo Ball led them past the Pelicans. But that team had a full roster. This time, they were down to 8 healthy players. Reaves’ 28-point, 16-assist performance is the most efficient two-way output by a non-star in a Lakers win since Derek Fisher in 2004. It’s a rare blend of scoring and playmaking under extreme pressure.
What’s the likelihood the Lakers can maintain this level without James and Doncic?
Sustaining this level is unlikely. Reaves is on pace for a career year, but his 51-point game and this 28-point, 16-assist performance are outliers. The Lakers’ bench depth is thin, and their defense has dropped to 24th in the league over the last week. Without their two best players, they’re surviving on momentum and Reaves’ brilliance — not structure. A tough stretch against Denver, Golden State, and Phoenix could expose them.
Could this game change how we view Austin Reaves’ role on the Lakers?
Absolutely. Before this stretch, Reaves was seen as a role player — a solid shooter and secondary playmaker. Now, he’s the guy who takes the last shot, runs the offense, and elevates his teammates. If he keeps this up, he could be named an All-Star reserve by season’s end. He’s not just filling in — he’s becoming the identity of this Lakers team in the absence of its icons.