The Los Angeles Lakers began the 2024-25 NBA season with a victory, defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 110-103 on Tuesday at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
The Timberwolves struggled to contain Anthony Davis, who excelled on both ends of the court. Davis recorded 36 points, 16 rebounds, four assists, three blocks, and one steal. Rui Hachimura contributed with 18 points and five rebounds, while LeBron James added 16 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
The game marked the regular season debut of head coach JJ Redick and the first appearance of rookie Bronny James, who played for three minutes in the second quarter. The duo of LeBron and Bronny James made history as the first father-son pair to compete in an NBA game.
Following the game, LeBron expressed his pride in sharing this moment with his son, emphasizing the importance of family. “I lost a lot of time because of this league … so to be able to have this moment where I’m working alongside my son is one of the greatest gifts I’ve got from the man above,” he said.
As the game progressed, the Timberwolves fought back and narrowed the gap to four points at 85-81 with just over 10 minutes left. However, the Lakers quickly regained control with a 6-0 run to extend their lead to 91-81. Jaxson Hayes played a key role off the bench, scoring 10 points and grabbing four rebounds.
The Lakers had the edge in physicality, dominating the paint 54-28 and securing 14 offensive rebounds compared to Minnesota’s eight. Despite turning the ball over 15 times in the first three quarters, the Timberwolves managed to stay in the game, trailing by only eight points heading into the final period.
Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 19 points and five rebounds, while Davis stood out for the Lakers with a team-high 25 points at that point in the game.
Davis continued to assert his dominance, achieving a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds with just over two minutes left in the third quarter. His defensive skills were showcased when he blocked a dunk attempt from Rudy Gobert.
At halftime, the Lakers held a 55-42 lead after leading by as much as 19 during the first half. Both teams were shooting around 41%, but the Lakers’ additional shot attempts came from the Timberwolves’ extensive turnovers.
In a memorable moment, Bronny James briefly took the court with his father in a historic pairing. After a three-minute stint, Bronny went scoreless but had a tipped shot and an offensive rebound.
The game attracted significant attention not only for the on-court action but also for the history being made with the James family’s participation. The Lakers’ season opener set the stage for an exciting season ahead.