Austin Reaves Hits Buzzer-Beater as Lakers Edge Timberwolves 116-115 in Thrilling Comeback

With 0.8 seconds left and the Los Angeles Lakers clinging to a one-point lead, Austin Reaves caught the inbounds pass, drove left through traffic, and floated a 12-foot jumper over two defenders — the ball swished through the net as the buzzer sounded. The Target Center fell silent. The Minnesota Timberwolves had blown a 20-point lead. And the Lakers? They walked out with a 116-115 win — their third of the season, and their first in over a week. It wasn’t just a game. It was a statement.

A Collapse in the Fourth

For three quarters, the Lakers looked like the team to beat in the Pacific Division. They led 97-86 entering the final frame, having shot 54% from the field and outrebounded Minnesota by 12. But the fourth quarter? That was a different story. The Timberwolves outscored the Lakers 29-19, turning a double-digit deficit into a one-point lead with 42 seconds left. No one saw it coming. Not the fans. Not the broadcasters. Not even the Lakers’ bench, which had started celebrating their 20-point cushion like it was a playoff clinch.

"The 20-point lead has completely disappeared," said one YouTube commentator during the timeout with 1:12 left. "Timeout, Lakers." And for good reason. The Timberwolves, missing star Anthony Edwards for the second straight game, played with desperation. Mike Conley hit a floater. Nick Smith Jr. found open looks. DeAndre Aton spun past Rudy Gobert for a beautiful turnaround jumper. The energy shifted. The crowd roared. And suddenly, the Lakers — who had looked in control — looked rattled.

Reaves Delivers — Again

But then there’s Austin Reaves.

He didn’t have his best shooting night — he missed his first three three-pointers. But he never stopped moving. He kept attacking. He kept drawing fouls. He kept finding seams. And when it mattered most, he didn’t hesitate. On the final play, with the Lakers down one and only 6.2 seconds left, Reaves came off a screen, got the ball from Dillingham, and attacked the rim. Two defenders closed in. He pulled up. And he didn’t just make it — he made it look easy.

"AR doing what AR does," the highlight commentator said. "Gets into the paint. And all that celebration that the Timberwolves were doing six seconds ago — they’re not doing now." Reaves finished with 28 points, six assists, and four rebounds — the kind of all-around performance that defines a clutch player. "It’s just simple stuff like that," he said postgame. "But we’ve seen it again and again. Whether it’s on defense, offense. He’s been great in huddles. I see it constantly."

Missing Pieces on Both Sides

The game was defined as much by who wasn’t playing as who was. The Minnesota Timberwolves were without Anthony Edwards, their leading scorer and emotional engine. His absence was glaring — especially in the fourth quarter, when they needed someone to take over. Without him, they relied on role players like Conley and Smith Jr., who did their part — but not enough.

For the Lakers, the absence of Gabe Vincent — sidelined with an ankle sprain for "a couple of weeks," as noted in postgame commentary — left a gap in perimeter defense and ball movement. Still, Reaves stepped into that void. And Dillingham, who had "half of the Laker assists," according to one highlight narrator, became a surprise playmaker.

Even the bench contributions were telling. Larabia made a left-hand layup. Loravia delivered a beautiful, hard-fought finish — then got knocked out in the process. Aima went 2-for-3 from deep. These weren’t star names, but they were the kind of gritty, unsung efforts that win close games.

Standings Shift and Momentum Matters

The win improved the Los Angeles Lakers to 3-2, moving them into second place in the Pacific Division — just one game behind the Golden State Warriors (4-1). For the first time this season, they’re not just chasing. They’re in the conversation.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves fell to 2-3, now three games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder (5-0) in the Northwest Division. Their two-game losing streak raises questions: Can they win without Edwards? Can they close out leads? And more importantly — can they stay relevant in a loaded Western Conference?

This was the second meeting between the teams in six days. On October 25, the Lakers won 128-110 in Los Angeles, with Reaves dropping 25 points and 11 assists. That game felt like a statement. This one? It felt like a survival test. And they passed.

What’s Next?

The Lakers host the Phoenix Suns on Friday. The Timberwolves travel to Denver to face the Nuggets — a tough test without Edwards. If Reaves keeps playing like this, the Lakers might not just make the playoffs — they might threaten for a top-four seed. But if Minnesota can’t find answers on defense, their season could slip away before the All-Star break.

One thing’s clear: in the NBA, leads don’t matter. Only results do. And on Wednesday night, Austin Reaves made sure the Lakers’ results mattered more than anyone expected.