Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Lakers Opening Night Preview
After a lengthy offseason, Lakers basketball is back! The Lakers will host the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight in their home opener.
The Lakers, led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis, were knocked out of the first round of the 2024 playoffs by the Denver Nuggets last season and hope to have a different outcome this year.
A major change occurred this offseason as the Lakers fired Darvin Ham after his second season with the franchise and hired JJ Redick to become the franchise’s next head coach.
Here’s JJ Redick saying he envisions a 9-man rotation and discussing which guys are competing for rotation spots off the bench. He said he forgot someone when running off all the names (Dalton Knecht): pic.twitter.com/4kEqDXruvA
— Daniel Starkand (@DStarkand) October 1, 2024
LAKERS LINEUP AND ROTATION
Prior to the start of the season, Redick announced the team’s starting lineup which consists of D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis.
The bench rotation is still in question as Christian Wood and Jarred Vanderbilt are out due to injury. Christian Koloko is also out due to reconditioning.
Gabe Vincent, Max Christie, Jaxson Hayes, and Dalton Knecht will likely round out the bench rotation for the beginning of the season, as Redick has stated he wants a nine-man rotation.
It’s “very likely” that LeBron and Bronny will share the court together “early” in the game tonight, per @ShamsCharania.
History awaits 👀 pic.twitter.com/B3FNwtToaX
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) October 22, 2024
HISTORY IN THE MAKING
Bronny James is on a guaranteed contract with the team, and he will likely share the court with his father, LeBron, in tonight’s game. Brian Windhorst stated that he envisions Bronny making his Lakers debut in the 2nd quarter if the game is going as planned.
In attendance tonight will be Ken Griffey Sr. and his son Ken Griffey Jr., who are the only father-son combo to play on a sports team together. That will change tonight as the Griffey’s will welcome the James’ into the history books.
“My expectation for Ant is to lead the league in scoring … but [the Timberwolves] are the biggest mystery in the NBA.” 👀
—@KendrickPerkins on Anthony Edwards and the Wolves ✍️ pic.twitter.com/Ua5yC0DLrU
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 22, 2024
THE OPPONENTS
On the other side, the Timberwolves made a huge deal a few weeks ago, trading away All-Star center Karl Anthony Towns to the Knicks for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo. Meanwhile, MVP candidate Anthony Edwards is looking to improve on an All-Star season last year.
The Lakers have not won a season opener for the last eight seasons. LeBron and Davis will look to lead the Lakers to victory tonight.
