In a hard-fought Western Conference matchup, Lakers forward Rui Hachimura stirred concern among LA fans after a frightening mid-air collision with Timberwolves’ Naz Reid during the team’s 118-111 loss to Minnesota.
The incident occurred in the third quarter when Hachimura, rolling to the rim, received a pass and attempted a dunk. However, Timberwolves center Naz Reid met him at the rim, causing Hachimura to take a hard fall to the ground. The collision left fans gasping in shock as both players seemed shaken up.
According to a report by Spin.ph, Notably, Naz Reid also faced an unsettling moment as fans observed him getting swiped across the face during the intense contest. Fortunately, both Hachimura and Reid appeared to be okay following the incident.
Despite the individual efforts of Hachimura and a standout performance from Anthony Davis, who contributed 31 points, eight rebounds, and four assists, the Lakers could not secure the victory. Austin Reaves also made an impact off the bench with 20 points, seven boards, and five assists.
The Lakers kept the game close, but turnovers became a deciding factor, with the team committing 17 compared to the Timberwolves’ 13. Additionally, Minnesota outperformed the Lakers in assists and points in the paint.
With the loss, the Lakers’ season record dropped to 15-14. The team faces a challenging matchup on Saturday, December 23rd, against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder.