The production from McDaniels was necessary as LeBron James tried his best to put the team on his back with Doncic battling a stomach bug. After looking every bit of 40 years old earlier in the series, James poured in 38 points with relative ease like he was still in his prime.

Anthony Edwards took one second to consider his answer in explaining how a Timberwolves team that too often struggled in clutch situations this season put together a precise, clinical, almost perfect final five minutes on a night full of intense basketball.

Jaden McDaniels scored a career playoff-high 30 points and spearheaded Minnesota’s stifling defense on an ailing Luka Doncic while sparking the Timberwolves in a 116-104 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers for a 2-1 lead in their first-round series.