Austin Reaves hits buzzer-beater as Lakers overcome 20-point lead to beat Timberwolves 116-115

With just 1.2 seconds left and the crowd on its feet, Austin Reaves rose from the free-throw line, caught the inbounds pass, and pulled up for a 12-foot jumper that swished through the net as the buzzer sounded. The Los Angeles Lakers had just survived a stunning collapse, beating the Minnesota Timberwolves 116-115 at Crypto.com Arena on Wednesday night — despite blowing a 20-point lead and playing without their two biggest stars.

When the Lead Vanished

The Lakers looked dominant through three quarters. Up 97-77 with 9:42 left in the fourth, they seemed poised to cruise to their third win in five games. Jaxson Hayes, back from a knee injury, had anchored the paint. Austin Reaves had already dropped 18 points and nine assists before halftime. But then, everything unraveled.

The Timberwolves, playing without Anthony Edwards due to a hamstring strain, didn’t quit. Jayden McDaniels, their defensive stopper, locked down Reaves in the final quarter. The Lakers’ offense went ice-cold — scoring just 19 points in the final 12 minutes. Meanwhile, Minnesota chipped away, hitting threes, attacking the rim, and forcing turnovers. By the 3:17 mark, the lead was gone. A 15-0 run turned a comfortable win into a nail-biter.

Playing With Eight

The Lakers weren’t just missing stars — they were down to eight active players. LeBron James, sidelined with an unspecified injury, won’t return until at least mid-November, according to head coach JJ Redick. "No change for LeBron," Redick said pregame. "We’re somewhere in that general timeline — second or third week of November. We’re not putting a date on it. He’s got to clear every box."

Adding to the chaos, starting guard Marcus Smart was ruled out with a right quad contusion. That meant the Lakers had to rely on depth players who rarely see meaningful minutes. Rookie Adou Thiero, recovering from a left knee injury, was cleared for live contact but remains with the South Bay Lakers — their G League affiliate — as he works toward full return. "He’s doing five-on-fives now," the team confirmed. "Next step is integrating with the main squad."

With so few bodies, Reaves played 41 minutes — a career-high in a non-overtime game. He finished with 31 points, 11 assists, and six rebounds, carrying the offense when it mattered most.

The Final Sequence

With 18 seconds left and the Lakers trailing 115-114, Austin Reaves drove hard into the paint, drew two defenders, and kicked out to D’Angelo Russell on the wing. Russell, double-teamed, fired a laser pass back to Reaves, who had cut backdoor. No one was near him. Just 1.2 seconds on the clock. He caught it, squared up, and released.

The ball hung in the air. The arena held its breath. Then — swish.

"I just trusted my rhythm," Reaves said afterward, sweat dripping down his face. "I’ve taken that shot a thousand times in practice. Tonight, it just felt right."

The Timberwolves had one last chance, but Karl-Anthony Towns’ desperation heave from half-court bounced harmlessly off the rim.

What This Means for the West

The win pushed the Lakers to 3-2, one game behind the Golden State Warriors for top spot in the Pacific Division. The Timberwolves, now 2-3, remain three games back of the undefeated Oklahoma City Thunder in the Northwest.

But this game wasn’t about standings — it was about identity. Without James, without Smart, with a roster thinned by injuries, the Lakers showed they can still win ugly. Reaves, once a fringe rotation player, is now the heartbeat of this team. And if he can carry them through adversity, maybe they’re not as broken as they seem.

What’s Next?

The Lakers face the Sacramento Kings on Friday night — their third game in four days. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, travel to Denver to face the Nuggets on Saturday, where they’ll need to find a way to replace Edwards’ scoring punch.

For now, the story is simple: When the lights shine brightest, Austin Reaves answers.