Lakers Taking It a Game at a Time as Exit Looms

The Minnesota Timberwolves now have three opportunities to eliminate the Los Angeles Lakers from the NBA Western Conference playoffs, with their first chance coming in Game 5 on April 30 (May 1, Singapore time) at Crypto.com Arena.

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LOS ANGELES - The Minnesota Timberwolves now have three opportunities to eliminate the Los Angeles Lakers from the NBA Western Conference playoffs, with their first chance coming in Game 5 on April 30 (May 1, Singapore time) at Crypto.com Arena.

The aggressive Timberwolves took a 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven opening-round series by overwhelming the Lakers down the stretch of Game 4 with a 32-19 advantage in the fourth quarter en route to a 116-113 victory.

Guard Anthony Edwards was every bit the star in the closing 12 minutes, scoring 16 of his game-and series-high 43 points.

The Game 4 victory came after the Lakers led by 12 in the third quarter and by 10 with 11min 25sec left. Edwards' free throws with 3:47 remaining gave Minnesota a lead they never relinquished.

"There wasn't any panic. The guys always have a belief they can come back," said Minnesota coach Chris Finch.

Forward Jaden McDaniels added: "When we stay together, we can overcome big deficits."