Never write off the Lakers, that’s what the message was after game 2. This series just got real. After miraculously falling in game 1, the King and Co. didn’t hesitate to accept what was wrong. The message, as always, was strong. Came game 2: The Timberwolves and Lakers are now all tied up at 1-1, and Game 3 in Minnesota is shaping up to be a full-on battle. Luka’s doing Luka things for L.A., and the Wolves? Well, they’ve got something to prove after that Game 2 slip-up.

But before tip-off, the big question on everyone’s mind is, are Ant and Rudy playing tonight? Fans have been holding their breath, hoping the Wolves roll in with their top dogs. Edwards has been the heart of this squad all season, while Gobert’s been the anchor on defense. Losing either of them would’ve been a major blow, especially in a series this intense.

The good news? They’re both good to go. As of the latest injury report by ESPN, only Rob Dillingham is listed as out for Minnesota with an ankle issue. Edwards and Gobert aren’t on the list, which means they’re suiting up for tonight’s clash at Target Center. The Lakers, on the other hand, will be without Maxi Kleber as he is recovering from surgery. Luckily, Rui Hachimura, who took a hit on his face, is not on their injury list. So, buckle up! It’s about to get wild.

Ant’s presence is especially crucial. He’s putting up 27.6 points per game this season, ranking fourth in the league, and his growth as a leader has been unreal. Gobert might not fill up the scoreboard the same way, but his impact is massive! 12 points, nearly 11 boards a night, and a crazy 66.9% shooting from the field. When those two are locked in, the Wolves are a tough out for anyone.

But availability alone won’t win them this series. Game 2 showed that even with a full squad, things can spiral fast if the Wolves aren’t locked in from the jump. And if there’s anyone who gets that now more than ever, it’s their leader. Anthony Edwards has clearly been paying attention. And what he said after the loss might just be the blueprint for Minnesota moving forward.

Anthony Edwards reveals the key element to beating the Lakers

Anthony Edwards isn’t just showing up on the court, he’s starting to sound like a leader off it, too. After Game 2, Ant kept it real about what went wrong and what the Timberwolves need to fix moving forward. No rants, no blaming the refs. Just a straight-up game plan. “We just can’t let them get off to a fast start,” he said. And honestly, he’s got a point.

That opening quarter was brutal. The Lakers came out swinging, dropping 38 on the Wolves before they even found their rhythm. But once Minnesota settled in, they started clawing back. The rest of the game was tight, even though that first-quarter hole proved too deep to escape. Now, as they head to game 3, here is the predicted lineup.

The Wolves will be charged against the Lakers to take the lead, and if they can come out with the same energy as game 1 right from the jump in Game 3, the series could swing back in their favor real quick. And the fact that Ant’s focusing on strategy instead of trash talk? That’s a good sign for Wolves fans everywhere.