WATCH: Lakers’ Alex Caruso Shows His Defensive Strength with a World-class Chasedown

The Los Angeles Lakers were 21-7 before meeting the Timberwolves in their away game. It was extremely important for them to showcase that they could do better, even with Anthony Davis out, especially when they have matches against the Brooklyn Nets and the Utah Jazz lined up in the same week. 

In the game, the Timberwolves put up a decent fight before the second quarter concluded with Karl Anthony-Towns and Karl Reid leading their offense. However, it was Lakers’ Alex Caruso who gave the first half’s most astounding highlight.

Alex Caruso comes in with an extraordinary block

Just 10 minutes into the game when the Lakers were leading by two points, the 26-YO guard gave fans a view of his beast mode. There was a moment when Timberwolves’ guard, Jordan McLaughlin, was running away with the ball, moments away from making a dunk. That’s when Caruso came down, chasing him and denying him the shot from behind. This show of athleticism startled both Jordan and the commentators who didn’t see it coming. 

Alex Caruso has always ranked high in the plus-minus for his team and has been great off the bench. He has gone strength-to-strength for the Lakers and many now demand that Frank Vogel let him play more average minutes. Until halftime, Caruso had two rebounds, as many assists, and a block to his name.

The Lakers missing the oomph without Anthony Davis

With Anthony Davis out because of his Achilles aggravation, the onus is on LeBron James to perform even better. In the game against the Wolves, King James had an 18-point first half with a supporting hand from guard Dennis Schroder who scored his 14 points. However, Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope did not look as good in the initial minutes. They missed a few easy layups and cost the team some crucial turnovers that helped the Wolves to stand just four points behind the Lakers’ 88 by the end of Q3.

The more concerning factor is that if the Lakers struggle against the Wolves, they’ll surely see a tough time against the bigger sharks in the ocean.

Read also – ‘People Don’t Notice Him’: Anthony Davis Reveals the Unsung Hero of Lakers