The NBA play-in games are here after the regular season came to an end on Sunday. The fun begins on Tuesday with the Atlanta Hawks facing the Miami Heat and then the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves battling it out.
The Timberwolves have former USC alum Jordan McLaughlin on the roster, although the Wolves’ regular season ended with a ton of drama when Rudy Gobert punched Kyle Anderson in the huddle during Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
McLaughlin has become a consistent role player on the Timberwolves, and he is averaging 3.7 PPG with 3.4 assists in a little less than 15 minutes per game. He has appeared in 43 games this season, but with Gobert suspended and Jaden McDaniels out with a self-inflicted injury, McLaughlin might get some extended run in this play-in game.
Mike Conley’s arrival in Minnesota reduced McLaughlin’s minutes, but he returns home to face the Lakers in this game.
The Lakers have emerged out of the shadows over the past two months following the All-Star break. LeBron James and Anthony Davis should enter this game as favorites to land the 7-seed and move on to face the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round.
Jordan McLaughlin still has to feel good about returning to LA with a lot on the line. He should get a chance to show what he can do.
Jordan McLaughlin showed off his handle for this smooth bucket 🔥
Timberwolves lead by 8 in Q4 on TNT pic.twitter.com/VEDejsAW69
— NBA (@NBA) March 1, 2023
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