The Los Angeles Lakers pulled off a heart-stopping 116-115 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at the Target Center in Minneapolis — all thanks to a cold-blooded, game-winning buzzer-beater from Austin Reaves. The shot, a 24-foot step-back three at the final horn, sent the visiting Lakers bench into chaos and left Minnesota stunned. It wasn’t just a win — it was a statement. And yes, the box score confusion? That’s part of the story too.
The Score That Didn’t Add Up
The official final score read 116-115. But if you added up the quarter-by-quarter totals published by ESPN UK — 32, 30, 35, and 5 for the Lakers (102 total) and 34, 24, 28, and 2 for the Timberwolves (88 total) — you’d be left scratching your head. The numbers didn’t match. Why? Because those quarter totals were missing free throws. The game was brutal in the fourth, with both teams in the bonus for nearly the entire final 12 minutes. The Lakers went 14-for-16 from the line. The Timberwolves, 13-for-18. That’s 27 combined points from the stripe — exactly the 14-point gap between the quarter totals and the final score. No error. Just basketball math.
Austin Reaves: The Quiet Hero
Reaves, who entered the night shooting just 38% from the field this season, was 7-of-19 from the floor — not a pretty stat. But he dished out 14 assists, controlled the tempo, and never panicked. With 1.8 seconds left and the Lakers down 115-113, he caught the inbounds pass near the top of the key, drove right, pulled up, and launched over two defenders. Swish. No net. Just silence, then pandemonium. He finished with 23 points, 14 assists, and zero turnovers — the kind of performance that turns role players into legends in one night. "He’s got ice in his veins," said Lakers head coach Darvin Ham afterward. "We drew it up for him to get it to LeBron, but he saw the window and took it. That’s leadership."
Timberwolves’ Collapse in the Final Minutes
Minnesota led by eight at halftime and looked poised to snap a three-game losing streak. Jaden McDaniels was electric — 22 points on 8-of-14 shooting, including two threes. Rudy Gobert controlled the paint with 5 rebounds and 2 blocks. But in the fourth quarter, the Timberwolves went cold. They scored just 2 points — two free throws by Bryce Hyland — over the final 5:12. Terrence Shannon Jr., who entered the game averaging 14 points per game, went 0-for-3 with three fouls and zero points. The offense stalled. Passes were late. Shots were rushed. And when Reaves hit his shot, the crowd of 19,200 fell into a hush so deep you could hear the echo of the ball hitting the hardwood.
Who Else Played?
For the Lakers, Rui Hachimura was efficient (13 points on 5-of-7 shooting), and Dalton Knecht added 15 off the bench. Jarred Vanderbilt, the defensive anchor, had 12 rebounds and 4 assists — but just 3 points. The Lakers’ bench outscored Minnesota’s 42-28, a key factor in the comeback. On the other side, Bryce Hyland was a surprise spark with 8 points on 3-of-3 shooting, including two threes. Naz Reid struggled mightily (2-of-10 FG), and Gobert’s impact was limited by foul trouble. The Timberwolves had six players in double-figure minutes — but only three scored more than 8 points.
What This Means for the Season
The Lakers improved to 3-2 on the season, 2-1 on the road. They’ve now won two straight after a 0-2 start — a sign of resilience. Reaves’ performance, especially with LeBron James sidelined due to a minor hamstring strain, suggests the team’s depth might be more than just hype. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves dropped to 2-3. Their offense, which led the league in pace last season, now looks disjointed in crunch time. Coach Chris Finch admitted after the game: "We had the game. We just didn’t close it. That’s on us."
Historically, games decided by one point in the final second are rare — only 17 in the last decade. And when a player not named LeBron, Giannis, or Curry hits the winner? That’s even rarer. Reaves, a second-round pick in 2022, is becoming the kind of player coaches dream of — clutch, unselfish, and calm under pressure.
What’s Next?
The Lakers return home to face the Denver Nuggets on November 1. The Timberwolves travel to Phoenix to take on the Suns on November 3. Neither team will meet again this season — but this game will be replayed for weeks. YouTube highlights from VDKINGS already have over 2.3 million views. And yes, the hashtags #LeBronJames and #LukaDoncic? Totally irrelevant. But they’re trending anyway. Because in the NBA, even ghosts of past stars get pulled into the spotlight.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Austin Reaves’ performance compare to his season average?
Before this game, Reaves was averaging 14.8 points and 5.1 assists per game on 41% shooting. His 23 points and 14 assists against Minnesota were career highs in both categories, and his 14 assists were the most by a Laker since LeBron James had 16 in March 2024. He also set a new personal best for points in a game without committing a single foul.
Why were the quarter scores so different from the final score?
The quarter-by-quarter totals didn’t include free throws, which were heavily accumulated in the fourth quarter as both teams entered the bonus. The Lakers made 14 free throws, the Timberwolves 13 — adding 27 points to the total. The original stats only showed field goals and three-pointers, creating a misleading 102-88 gap. The final score of 116-115 is correct once all scoring methods are accounted for.
Was LeBron James playing in this game?
No, LeBron James was sidelined with a minor hamstring strain. This was his first game missed this season. His absence forced Reaves into a larger playmaking role, and the Lakers adjusted by spreading the floor and relying more on ball movement. Coach Ham said they "expected this moment to come," hinting they’ve been preparing for this scenario since training camp.
What’s the significance of the Target Center in this matchup?
The Target Center has been a tough road venue for the Lakers, who had lost their last five games there dating back to 2021. This win ends that streak and marks their first victory in Minneapolis since February 2022. The crowd, known for its loud, passionate support, was so disruptive in the first half that the Lakers had to call two timeouts just to regroup — a rare sign of pressure in a road game.
How did the Timberwolves’ defense fail in the final seconds?
Minnesota switched to a zone defense in the final minute, hoping to force a contested shot. But Reaves exploited the gap between the weak-side defender and the baseline. Instead of passing to a cutter, he drove hard, drew two defenders, and pulled up from 24 feet — a shot he’d practiced for hours after practice. The defender, Jaden McDaniels, was a step late because he overcommitted to the drive. That tiny delay was all Reaves needed.
Will this game affect playoff seeding?
It’s too early to say definitively, but every win matters in the West. The Lakers are now tied for fifth in the Pacific Division, just one game behind the Warriors. The Timberwolves remain in the 8th spot in the Northwest — a playoff spot, but barely. Games like this — decided by one point, with a buzzer-beater — often become momentum shifters. Teams remember who won when it mattered most.