Luka scores 31, and the Lakers muscle past the Timberwolves 94-85 to even 1st-round series

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Rui Hachimura took a hit to the face early in Game 2 and left the court with a bloody nose, retreating to the locker room. A quarter later, he returned wearing a protective mask — though it didn’t stay on long, as he quickly ditched it out of irritation.

After being routed in their first-round opener by the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Los Angeles Lakers said they felt like they’d been punched in the mouth. Game 2 was all about the response — and LeBron James appreciated the grit his team showed.

Luka Doncic led the way with 31 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists, helping the Lakers even the series with a 94-85 win on Tuesday night.

Game 3 is set for Friday in Minneapolis.

Austin Reaves added 16 points for the third-seeded Lakers, who came out aggressive, building a 22-point lead early and holding off the sixth-seeded Wolves through a tough, physical game. Though L.A. managed just 60 points across the final three quarters, Minnesota never closed the gap to fewer than nine.

Head coach JJ Redick was pleased with his team’s intensity — even if it took a fiery, expletive-laced timeout speech in the fourth quarter to keep them locked in.

Julius Randle scored 27 points and Anthony Edwards added 25 for Minnesota, but the Timberwolves struggled to recapture the offensive rhythm that had propelled them in Game 1. Edwards credited the Lakers’ defensive shifts, saying they made things “kind of hard.”

James contributed 11 rebounds and seven assists to go with his leadership in a game full of hard contact — including hits to the face for both him and Hachimura. Hachimura later returned with a second face mask after halftime.

In Game 1, the Wolves had drained 21 three-pointers to dismantle the Lakers 117-95. But in Game 2, L.A. responded with force, building a commanding lead in the first quarter, as Doncic repeatedly targeted Rudy Gobert in isolation plays.