Lakers to Host Timberwolves in Play-In Game

The 2023 NBA Play-In Tournament officially tips off Tuesday night with the No. 7-seed Los Angeles Lakers hosting the No. 8-seed Minnesota Timberwolves.

Play-in is set.

Our place, Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/poAlVM2Ao1

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 9, 2023

Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers had a strong end to the season, going 8-2 in their final 10 and locking up the #7 seed in the Western Conference.

When Anthony Davis had a chance to speak to the media, he talked about the challenges of playing the Timberwolves without two of their key players: Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels.

This season, the Lakers are 27-25 against Western Conference teams.

They allow opponents an average of 116.6 points per game on 46.9 shooting percent.

Guys like Anthony Davis and Malik Beasley have stepped up in the absence of Lebron James, who was dealing with a foot injury for much of the regular season’s final stretch.

Wolves

Minnesota went 7-3 in the last 10 games, with one of their losses coming against the Lakers.

In a 113-108 win Sunday, the Wolves saw tempers flare when Rudy Gobert got into an argument with Kyle Anderson, which led to Gobert throwing a punch at his teammate on the sideline.

Rudy Gobert was suspended by the team and did not travel to Los Angeles for this upcoming Play-In game.

NEWS: The Minnesota @Timberwolves today announced the team has suspended center Rudy Gobert for one game following yesterday’s incident.

Full release: https://t.co/YFuVmjTvhO

— Timberwolves PR (@Twolves_PR) April 10, 2023

That same Sunday win was when Jaden McDaniels broke his hand from punching a wall on his way back to the locker room, leaving him out for the rest of the season.

Minnesota will be without their two best defensive players, taking on a hot offensive Lakers team who averages 122.6 points per game on 50.7% shooting from the field.

When Timberwolves coach Chris Finch spoke to the media, this is what he had to say.

What’s to Come

The winner of Lakers vs. Timberwolves will earn the #7 seed going into the postseason and play a round one playoff series against the #2-seed Memphis Grizzles.

The losing team between Minnesota and L.A. will have a chance to earn their way into the playoffs by facing off against the winner of New Orleans vs. Oklahoma City.

The winner of that game will then earn the #8 seed in the postseason and be set to play the #1 seed Denver Nuggets in the first round.

The game between the Lakers and Wolves tips off tonight at 10 p.m.