Anthony Edwards wondered who Jake LaRavia was
By the time Edwards was done with the joke, Jake LaRavia had already taken care of it Minnesota Timberwolves knew exactly who he was. In a stunning performance Wednesday night, LaRavia exploded for 27 points and eight rebounds while shooting an absurd 10-for-11 from the field and 5-of-6 from three, helping the Los Angeles Lakers escape with a 116-115 victory in Minneapolis.
The unheralded forward, who entered the game averaging single digits, turned in the best night of his NBA career as he silenced a roaring Timberwolves crowd after a furious fourth-quarter comeback.
Anthony Edwards, who was the microphone on the bench and hearing the fans laugh at LaRavia’s lack of recognition, I couldn’t have picked a worse time to underestimate him. LaRavia withstood Minnesota’s defensive pressure, knocking down threes from the clutch corner and even engaging in light-hearted trash talk with Edwards after one of his layups.
LaRavia’s efficient night wasn’t just a fluke. The 23-year-old striker showed elite confidence and composure, moving seamlessly off the ball and punishing any mistakes in defensive rotation made by Wolves. His shooting helped the Lakers build a 20-point lead late in the third quarter, and though Minnesota responded with a 14-2 run in the closing minutes, it was LaRavia who quieted the Los Angeles offense.
Austin Reeves finished the game with a 12-foot ticking float, ending with 28 points and 16 assists, but LaRavia was the unexpected star that kept the Lakers alive throughout the night. Deandre Ayton added 17 points and 10 rebounds as LA improved to 3-2 on the season.
For the Timberwolves, Julius Randle led the team with 33 points, but the loss highlighted a major defensive lapse, allowing a player like LaRavia to torch them from all areas of the court.
By the final buzzer, Minnesota fans and Edwards himself didn’t have to ask: Everyone at Target Center knew exactly who No. 12 was.
2025-10-30 11:27:00
