With LeBron James sidelined and Luka Dončić watching from afar, the Los Angeles Lakers pulled off a gritty 118-115 overtime win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at the Target Center in Minneapolis. The game, played before a raucous crowd and streamed live on Fubo, wasn’t just another early-season matchup—it was a statement. Without their two biggest stars, the Lakers leaned on role players, defensive grit, and a breakout performance from Austin Reaves, who dropped 32 points and sealed the win with a step-back three at the overtime buzzer. The win improved the Lakers to 3-2, while the Timberwolves fell to 2-3, continuing a frustrating start to what was supposed to be a title-contending season.
Who Stepped Up When the Stars Sat?
The phrase “No Luca, no LeBron means a lot of changes” echoed through every broadcast, and it wasn’t just hype. LeBron James, nursing a nagging knee issue, sat out for the second straight game, while Luka Dončić—though playing for Dallas—wasn’t even on the floor, making the comment a broader commentary on the league’s injury woes. But the Lakers didn’t fold. Austin Reaves became the de facto leader, attacking the rim with reckless abandon and hitting clutch shots when the game hung in the balance. He scored 10 of his 32 points in the final 2:30 of regulation and overtime, including a cold-blooded pull-up from 24 feet with 4.1 seconds left in OT.
Meanwhile, D'Angelo Russell—referred to as “Randall” in some chaotic highlight commentary—played a quiet but efficient 36 minutes, finishing with 18 points and 9 assists. His ability to run the pick-and-roll with Anthony Davis (mistakenly called “DeAndre Aton” in some streams) kept Minnesota’s defense guessing. Davis, playing through a sore ankle, still managed 21 points, 14 rebounds, and 4 blocks, anchoring the paint like a veteran should.
Timberwolves’ Stars Struggled to Carry the Load
For all their offseason hype, the Timberwolves looked disjointed. Jaden McDaniels, the 24-year-old forward who was supposed to be Minnesota’s next star, went 2-for-11 from three and looked hesitant off the dribble. His defensive effort was there—he had three steals and a monster block on Reaves in the third—but his offense never found rhythm.
Rudy Gobert, the defensive anchor signed to a $100 million extension last summer, was a ghost for much of the night. He finished with just 10 points and 7 rebounds, a far cry from his usual double-double dominance. He was also called for two questionable travel calls—one in the fourth quarter where he took 16 steps under the basket, as one commentator noted—and his turnover in overtime directly led to Reaves’ game-winning shot.
And then there was the mystery: “Venenzo.” No player by that name exists on either roster. It’s likely a mispronunciation of Keegan Murray, the Timberwolves’ rookie sharpshooter who went 4-for-6 from deep and finished with 19 points. Or perhaps it was a botched call for Malik Beasley, who was traded to Minnesota in the offseason. Either way, the confusion underscores how chaotic—and unpolished—some of the highlight coverage was.
Free Agent Mystery and the Rise of ‘Eightton’
One of the weirdest moments came during the third quarter when a commentator blurted: “Eightton signed as a free agent after the bout with Portland.” The name sent fans scrambling. Was it DeAndre Ayton? The former Suns center? He’s still with Portland. Or was it a misheard “Eaton”? No one named Eaton plays in the NBA. The truth? It was likely a misstatement of Maxi Kleber, who signed with the Lakers in August after a brief stint in Dallas. But the commentary stuck—and now, “Eightton” is trending on Twitter as a meme. The Lakers, for their part, have said nothing.
Why This Game Matters Beyond the Box Score
This wasn’t just a win. It was proof the Lakers can survive without LeBron. For the first time in a decade, they’re being forced to build around Reaves, Davis, and Russell—not a 39-year-old superstar. And they’re doing it with defense, ball movement, and timely shooting. D'Angelo Russell is shooting 41% from three this season, a career-best. Jaden McDaniels is still figuring it out, but his 2.3 steals per game suggest he’s becoming a defensive weapon.
For Minnesota, the loss exposed a dangerous flaw: they rely too heavily on Gobert and McDaniels. Without a true playmaker, they stall in the half-court. Their bench, led by Anthony Edwards (who scored 27 but had 6 turnovers), needs more help. Coach Chris Finch has said he’s “re-evaluating rotations,” but with injuries piling up, that’s easier said than done.
What’s Next?
The Lakers next face the Phoenix Suns on Friday, November 1, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena—another tough test. LeBron is expected to return, but the team’s identity may have already shifted. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, host the Denver Nuggets on Saturday, a matchup that could define their season. If they can’t solve their offensive stagnation, this 2-3 start might be the beginning of another playoff disappointment.
And for fans? The highlights on YouTube—posted by The Sports Fury, LakeShow, and GAMETIME HIGHLIGHTS—are a mess of misnames and promo codes (“Use FURY on Sleeper for 100% match up to $100!”). But the game itself? Pure basketball drama. No filters. No hype. Just a team finding its way when the spotlight’s off.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the Lakers win without LeBron James?
The Lakers won by leaning on Austin Reaves, who scored 32 points including the game-winning three in overtime, and Anthony Davis, who dominated inside with 21 points and 14 rebounds. D’Angelo Russell orchestrated the offense with 18 points and 9 assists, proving the team can thrive with a balanced attack even without LeBron. Their defense forced 18 turnovers, including a critical one by Rudy Gobert in overtime.
Who is ‘Eightton,’ and why is everyone talking about him?
‘Eightton’ is a misstatement from a chaotic highlight commentary that likely meant DeAndre Ayton, who plays for Portland—not the Lakers. No player named Eightton exists in the NBA. The confusion went viral after fans noticed the odd name in YouTube clips. The Lakers signed Maxi Kleber in August, and it’s possible the commentator meant him. Either way, ‘Eightton’ is now a meme, trending on social media as a joke about bad sports commentary.
Why was Anthony Davis called ‘DeAndre Aton’ in the highlights?
It was a mispronunciation by a commentator during live highlights, likely due to poor audio or rushed editing. Anthony Davis and DeAndre Ayton are both elite centers, and the names are phonetically similar. This kind of error is common in fan-made highlight reels, especially when commentary is auto-generated or poorly transcribed. Davis was clearly the player involved—he had 21 points, 14 rebounds, and 4 blocks.
Which player was shooting over 40% from three, and why does it matter?
D’Angelo Russell is shooting 41% from three this season, a career-high and one of the best marks among starting guards in the league. That’s critical for the Lakers because it stretches defenses, opens driving lanes for Reaves and Davis, and makes their offense far more dangerous. In a league where spacing wins championships, Russell’s shooting is quietly one of their most valuable assets.
Was this game actually played at Target Center?
Yes. The game was played at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, as confirmed by NBA schedules and multiple broadcast sources. The Timberwolves are the home team, and the arena’s name was correctly referenced in official streaming reports from Fubo and Fox Sports Radio 1340.
What’s the significance of the ‘Sleeper’ promo code mentioned in the highlights?
The promo code ‘FURY’ was part of a sponsorship deal between YouTube highlight channel The Sports Fury and the fantasy sports app Sleeper. Fans were encouraged to sign up using the code for a 100% match bonus up to $100. It’s common in sports content, but the heavy promotion during a live game commentary raised eyebrows—some viewers felt it distracted from the game. The ad is unrelated to the outcome, but it’s a sign of how monetization now shapes how games are presented online.
