The Lakers led by seven points after the first quarter, but they were outscored 38-20 by Minnesota in the second. Los Angeles wasn't able to trim the deficit to single-digits for the rest of the game, as the Timberwolves led by as many as 27 points.

The trade for Luka Doncic and immediate connection he made with LeBron James has transformed the Lakers into legitimate title contenders.

Fortified by acquisitions of various degrees, the lords of the rings find themselves back in the hunt for title No. 5, leaving us wondering how deep LeBron James and Stephen Curry can pull from their respective reservoirs to make it to June — one more time.