FINAL: Timberwolves 120, Lakers 119. Kobe’s buzzer-beater is just off the mark. He finishes with 26 points. pic.twitter.com/23jpQHaH86
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) November 29, 2014
Thaddeus Young’s made free throw with 2.8 seconds left in the fourth quarter gave the Timberwolves a 120-119 win over the Lakers in Los Angeles on Friday night.
The Lakers had a chance to win with the final shot of the game, but Kobe Bryant’s straightaway 3-pointer rolled off the rim as time expired. It snapped the Wolves’ 21-game losing streak to the Lakers in games that Bryant played.
Moments before Young’s decisive free throw, Bryant hit a mid-range jumper over Andrew Wiggins to tie the game at 119-119 with 5.6 seconds left in regulation.
Kobe for the win?? Nope… https://t.co/yh1G0flFxb
— Steve Noah (@Steve_OS) November 29, 2014
While the end of the game was exciting, it was Wolves rookie Zach LaVine who stole the show. He scored a career-high 28 points on 11-14 shooting (and he didn’t score in the fourth quarter). How impressive was LaVine’s game? Consider the fact that he had totaled 60 points through ten games this season entering Friday’s contest.
The last Wolves rookie to score 30 points in a game was Stephon Marbury, who did so twice in the 1996-97 season, according to Basketball Reference.
Zach LaVine had never scored more than 13 points in an NBA game.
LaVine had 18 points in the 2nd quarter tonight vs Lakers.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 29, 2014
Zach Lavine idolized Kobe Bryant growing up, dressing up as him for Halloween @ the age of six. He has 28pts in his 1st gm against his hero.
— Timberwolves PR (@Twolves_PR) November 29, 2014
Mo Williams finished with 25 points and 11 assists and Young scored 22. Kobe led the Lakers with 26 points (12 in the first quarter).
The Wolves are back on the court Sunday at the Portland Trail Blazers.
