Los Angeles guard hits clutch game-winner as short-handed Lakers edge Minnesota 116–115 in a dramatic NBA showdown.

MINNEAPOLIS, October 30, 2025 — The Los Angeles Lakers snatched a dramatic 116–115 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night, thanks to a cold-blooded buzzer-beater by Austin Reaves that silenced the Target Center crowd and extended his stellar start to the NBA season.

Reaves Delivers in the Clutch

With just 6.6 seconds remaining and the Lakers trailing by one, Reaves took an inbounds pass from Jake LaRavia, dribbled past Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert, and sank a 12-foot pull-up jumper as the final buzzer sounded. The ball swished through the net, sealing one of the Lakers’ most thrilling wins of the season and sending Reaves’s teammates sprinting to mob him in celebration.

Reaves finished the night with 28 points and 16 assists, his best all-around performance yet this season. The 25-year-old guard has quickly become one of the Lakers’ most reliable scoring options—especially critical as the team continues to battle a wave of early-season injuries.

“It’s special,” Reaves said postgame. “To have that opportunity for a big road win, especially with a lot of guys out, means a lot. We just kept hooping and believing.”

His game-winner carried a hint of redemption: Reaves missed a potential game-tying shot on the same court in last season’s playoff series, where Minnesota eliminated Los Angeles in Game 5. “I thought about that,” Reaves admitted. “This time, I made sure it went down.”

Lakers Overcome Injuries and Adversity

The Lakers entered the matchup severely undermanned, with superstars LeBron James (sciatica) and Luka Doncic (left finger sprain, leg contusion) both sidelined. They also missed Marcus Smart, Gabe Vincent, and Maxi Kleber due to injuries. Despite the absences, Los Angeles played with grit and composure, leading 62–58 at halftime and staying competitive throughout.

Jake LaRavia had a breakout night, scoring 27 points on a near-perfect 10-for-11 shooting, including 5-for-6 from three-point range. The Lakers’ bench also contributed key minutes, with Jaxson Hayes returning from a knee injury to post solid defensive stats in 13 minutes of play.

Head coach Darvin Ham praised the team’s resilience:

“We talk about next man up all the time, and tonight they lived it. Austin stepped up like a star. Everyone trusted the moment.”

Timberwolves’ Comeback Falls Just Short

The Minnesota Timberwolves appeared poised to steal the win in the final minutes. Trailing 114–106 with 2:30 remaining, they mounted a 9–0 run fueled by Julius Randle and Jaden McDaniels. Randle scored 33 points, while McDaniels added 30, including a key three-pointer and a dunk that briefly gave Minnesota the lead.

With 10.2 seconds left, Randle’s go-ahead layup put the Timberwolves up 115–114—but that set the stage for Reaves’s last-second heroics.

Minnesota continues to play without Anthony Edwards, who missed his second straight game with right hamstring tightness and is expected to remain out for about two weeks. Jaylen Clark also sat out due to a left calf strain.

Despite the loss, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch found positives in the team’s fight:

“We showed heart down the stretch, but we’ve got to finish defensive possessions. You can’t give a player like Reaves that kind of space.”

Looking Ahead

The win lifts the Lakers to 5–2 on the season and gives them confidence heading into a challenging West Coast stretch. They’ll face the Phoenix Suns next, while the Timberwolves (now 3–4) aim to rebound against the Denver Nuggets.

For Reaves, the moment cements his growing reputation as one of the NBA’s most clutch young guards. From undrafted rookie to Lakers closer, his trajectory continues to climb.

“Austin’s not afraid of the moment,” teammate Jake LaRavia said. “That’s what makes him special.”