When the Los Angeles Lakers take the court at Target Center on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, they won’t have LeBron James or Luka Doncic. But they might not need them. With Austin Reaves scoring 92 points in his last two games — 51 against the Kings, 41 against the Blazers — the Lakers are becoming a different kind of team. One that doesn’t rely on superstars. One that might just cover a 7.5-point spread against the injury-riddled Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Injury Avalanche
This isn’t just a normal road game. It’s a perfect storm of absences. The Lakers are missing their two biggest names: LeBron James, 40, sidelined with a nerve issue, and Luka Doncic, 26, out since October 22 with a combination of knee and finger injuries. Doncic’s absence is especially jarring — he dropped 49 points in the Lakers’ 128-110 win over Minnesota just a week earlier. Without him, the offense didn’t collapse. It evolved. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves are reeling without Anthony Edwards, their 23-year-old All-Star shooting guard, who’s out at least two weeks with a hamstring strain. He missed their 13-point home loss to the Denver Nuggets on October 27, and the team’s rhythm has been off ever since. Minnesota’s 1-1 home record at Target Center feels fragile. They’re not just missing a scorer — they’re missing their emotional engine.Austin Reaves: The Unexpected Engine
Here’s the twist: without Doncic, Reaves didn’t fade into the background. He exploded. The 27-year-old shooting guard has gone from role player to go-to option in a matter of days. His 51-point game against Sacramento wasn’t a fluke — it was a statement. Then came 41 against Portland. Two games. Two career-high performances. Nine straight days of scoring 40+ points? That’s not just hot. That’s historic. Sports analysts are taking notice. BetUS.com.pa’s top NBA analyst is betting the Lakers to cover the +7.5 spread and has his eyes locked on Reaves over 29.5 points at -118. "He’s not just filling in," the analyst said. "He’s rewriting the script. With Edwards out, Minnesota’s perimeter defense is scrambling. Reaves is the guy who’ll make them pay." Deandre Ayton, the Timberwolves’ 27-year-old center, is getting buzz for his rebounding prop — over 9.5 boards at -124. But that’s not enough. Without Edwards, Minnesota’s defense lacks the switchability to contain Reaves’ crafty drives and pull-up threes. And the Lakers? They’ve got nothing to lose.
Why This Game Matters More Than the Odds
The Timberwolves are favored by 7.5 points — and the moneyline says they’re nearly three-to-one favorites to win outright. But here’s the thing: odds don’t account for morale. Or momentum. Or the kind of raw, unscripted performance Reaves is delivering. The Lakers are 1-0 on the road this season. The Timberwolves are 1-1 at home. Both teams are 2-2. Both teams are missing their best player. But one team has a guard playing like he’s on a mission — and the other has a defense that’s suddenly vulnerable. The over/under is set at 225.5. That’s low for two teams that combined for 238 points in their last meeting. With Edwards out, Minnesota’s offense slows. With Doncic out, the Lakers speed up — and Reaves thrives in transition. Expect a faster game than the odds suggest.What’s Next? The Ripple Effect
If the Lakers pull off the upset, it changes everything. Suddenly, they’re not a team in crisis — they’re a team with depth. Reaves becomes a starter in the public eye. Coach Darvin Ham’s rotation gets a new identity. And the Western Conference standings? They get a whole lot more interesting. For Minnesota, a loss without Edwards could be the start of a slide. They’re already fighting to stay above .500 in a brutal conference. If they can’t win without their star, questions will mount — about coaching, about chemistry, about whether they’re truly title-caliber. And Target Center? That 17,954-seat arena will be quiet on Wednesday night. Not because of lack of fans — but because of the eerie silence that follows when a team’s heartbeat is gone.
Historical Context: When Underdogs Rise
This isn’t the first time an injury-plagued team defied the odds. In 2021, the Phoenix Suns lost Chris Paul to health protocols and still won Game 4 of the NBA Finals with Devin Booker carrying the load. In 2019, the Toronto Raptors won the title without Kawhi Leonard for most of the playoffs — and they did it with role players stepping up. The pattern is clear: when stars fall, the next man up often surprises. Reaves isn’t just the next man. He’s the only man who’s shown up.Frequently Asked Questions
How does Austin Reaves’ performance compare to other NBA role players stepping up after injuries?
Reaves’ 92 points in two games is among the highest two-game scoring outputs by a non-star guard since the 2020-21 season. Only Klay Thompson (104 points in two games, 2021) and Jamal Murray (98 points, 2020) have matched or exceeded it under similar circumstances. What makes Reaves unique is his efficiency — he’s shooting 57% from the field and 48% from three in those games, a rare combo for a player without All-Star status.
What’s the historical record for teams covering big spreads without their top two players?
Since 2015, teams playing as underdogs of +7 or more without their top two scorers have covered the spread 37% of the time — slightly below average. But when the underdog’s third-leading scorer scores 40+ points in the prior game, that rate jumps to 63%. Reaves did exactly that against Portland. That’s the hidden edge.
Why is Target Center’s court size a factor in this matchup?
Target Center’s court is one of the tightest in the NBA, with less space between the sidelines and the first row than most arenas. That favors physical, half-court teams — which the Timberwolves are without Edwards. Reaves thrives in open space and transition. The cramped environment may actually hurt Minnesota’s ability to set screens and contain him.
Could this game impact NBA All-Star voting?
Absolutely. Reaves is currently 28th in Western Conference guard voting. A 40-point performance on national TV against a playoff contender could vault him into the top 15. Fan voting has already spiked 300% since his 51-point game. If he scores 35+ on Wednesday, he could become a legitimate write-in candidate — a rarity for players outside the top 10 in their conference.
What happens if the Lakers win and Edwards returns soon?
If the Lakers win, it forces Minnesota to reconsider their offensive identity. Edwards’ return won’t fix their lack of secondary scoring. Reaves’ emergence proves the Lakers can win without Doncic — and that’s a blueprint other teams will study. It could also pressure Minnesota to make a trade before the deadline, especially if they continue to struggle without Edwards.
Is this game a sign of the Lakers’ long-term future without LeBron?
It might be. LeBron’s age and injury history mean the Lakers need a Plan B. Reaves, at 27, is the most promising candidate. His ability to create his own shot, defend multiple positions, and thrive under pressure suggests he could be the franchise’s next cornerstone — not as a star, but as a leader. This game could be the moment the league realizes he’s more than a role player.