Los Angeles Lakers Beat Timberwolves to Boost Playoff Hopes

• The Los Angeles Lakers registered their fifth win in six games after beating the Minnesota Timberwolves to boost their playoff hopes
• Anthony Davis' 38 points gave the Lakers a vital 123-11 against their playoff competitors
• They are now 7th in the Western Conference and sit above .500 for the first time this season

The Los Angeles Lakers stole an important win over playoff competitors Minnesota Timberwolves.

Anthony Davis's incredible 38 points saw the Lakers win 123-111 and go above .500 for the first time all season.

The win was their fifth in their last six games and it couldn't come at a better time. They are now 7th in the Western Conference with a 39-38 record, one and a half games behind 6th placed Golden State Warriors.

Davis was impressive. He scored 17 of his 38 points in the fourth quarter. Before that he twisted his ankle after stepping on his teammate, Wenyen Gabriel's foot in the third quarter.

Luka Doncic stars in Dallas Mavericks’ win over Indiana Pacers after NBA rescinds his suspension

NBA

The big man shot 15-for-26 from the field and 8-for-10 from the free throw and added 17 rebounds and two blocks, per ESPN.

LeBron James struggled but finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists. He went 7-for-19 from the field.

Reactions from Lakers win

Lakers fans were concerned after watching Davis go down with an apparent injury but the big man returned to the game and dropped a huge performance. After the game, he said he was fine.

"I knew I was going to play. Tied the shoes up tighter and just kind off played off adrenaline until the end of the game and was able to get some treatment. But I'll be fine."

James is focused on the Houston Rockets.

"This game is over with," James said. "Our focus shifts to Houston right now."

Devin Booker, Suns bench lead Phoenix past struggling Utah Jazz

NBA

The Lakers continue with their road trip and face Houston Utah and city rivals LA Clippers. They finish the season against the Phoenix Suns and Utah, per the Athletic.

The Timberwolves have now lost two straight games and sit 9th in the West with a 39-39 record.

Mike Conley led Timberwolves with 25 points. Anthony Edwards struggled all game. he finished with 11 points on 4-for16 shooting from the field, including 2-for-7 from deep.

Is Father Time catching up with James?

Sports Brief earlier analyzed if age is finally catching up with NBA's all-time leading scorer.

For an extended period, LeBron James was an unstoppable force in the NBA.

Over the last few seasons, the four-time NBA champion has been plagued by niggling injuries which have disrupted the Lakers' seasons.

Can the 38-year-old keep producing as he enters the twilight years of his hugely successful career?