Turnovers + scoring drought cost Wolves in Play-In Tournament loss to Lakers in overtime

April 12, 2023 - 12:52am | By James McCarty

The shorthanded Minnesota Timberwolves fell to the Los Angeles Lakers 108-102 in overtime in the NBA’s Play-In Tournament on Tuesday evening. The Lakers are now the #7 seed and with take on the #2 Memphis Grizzlies in the Western Conference Quarterfinals best-of-7 series beginning on Sunday.

Karl-Anthony Towns paced the Wolves with 24 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists. Mike Conley added 23 points, four rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Kyle Anderson chipped in 12 points, 13 assists, five rebounds, four steals, and four blocks.

Minnesota didn’t make a field goal in the final 6:01 of the fourth quarter. Their only three points in that time frame came on a trio of free throws Conley knocked down after being fouled shooting a three pointer with 0.1 remaining in regulation. They also committed 24 turnovers.

Karl-Anthony Towns and Mike Conley met with the media after the loss:

"It's difficult when you leave without a win and you feel you played good enough to win."

Karl-Anthony Towns after scoring 24 points in the loss to the Lakers. #RaisedByWolves | #NBA pic.twitter.com/wZCOM80hSS

— Bally Sports North (@BallySportsNOR) April 12, 2023

"We gotta get better at the last six, seven minutes of the game." #Timberwolves guard Mike Conley after the OT loss to the Lakers. #RaisedByWolves | #NBA pic.twitter.com/qxVQUyFFeX

— Bally Sports North (@BallySportsNOR) April 12, 2023

The Wolves will now return home to the Target Center to host a win or go home play-in game on Friday night. They will host the winner of the New Orleans - Oklahoma City game. The Winner of the Target Center play-in game will be the #8 seed in the Western Conference and will take on the #1 seed Denver Nuggets.