Minnesota beat the Lakers, without LeBron James due to an ankle injury, 97-87 in an ugly game at Target Center. Jaden McDaniels helped the Wolves (13-11) navigate a difficult offensive showing in which they shot just 40% from the field and 28% from 3-point ...

McDaniels is back to his frightening self on the defensive end, helping Minnesota become one of the NBA's most stingy teams lately.

Thanks to hard work and tunnel vision, most everything about his game is improving — defense, shooting and avoiding foul trouble.

Anthony Edwards scored 23 points on 9-for-20 shooting, and the Minnesota Timberwolves held on for a 97-87 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night in Minneapolis.

Anthony Edwards scored 23 points and the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Los Angeles Lakers 97-87 on Friday night. Julius Randle added 21 points and Jaden McDaniels scored 18 for Minnesota, which won for the fifth time in six games.

Timberwolves coach Chris Finch called the wing the “star of the game.” With LeBron James out for personal reasons, the Lakers lacked a perimeter player that McDaniels needed to lock down. That allowed him to star in other spots on the defensive end than which he’s accustomed, and he flourished in all aspects.

On Friday night, the Los Angeles Lakers looked utterly out of sorts without their offensive leader, 20-time All-NBA honoree power forward LeBron James. The leag

Minnesota’s Mike Conley missed a 3-pointer and Rui Hachimura grabbed the rebound for the Lakers, but Julius Randle stole the ball and quickly fed Jaden McDaniels for a ... for 27 Timberwolves’ points. LeBron James missed his second consecutive game ...

Jaden McDaniels’ resurgence on that defensive end of the floor ... Timberwolves coach Chris Finch called the wing the “star of the game.” With LeBron James out for personal reasons, the Lakers lacked a perimeter player that McDaniels needed to ...

Julius Randle added 21 points and Jaden McDaniels scored 18 for Minnesota ... Los Angeles had 21 turnovers. LeBron James missed his second straight game for the Lakers with left foot soreness ...