Wolves top Lakers 116-104 in Game 3 to take series lead behind both-ways standout Jaden McDaniels

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves, with so many promising performances spoiled by late mistakes fresh in their memory bank, sure timed this strong finish well.

Jaden McDaniels scored a career playoff-high 30 points and spearheaded Minnesota's stifling defense on an ailing Luka Doncic, and the Timberwolves beat the Los Angeles Lakers 116-104 to take a 2-1 lead in the first-round series on Friday night.

“Jaden never looks tired. He looks like he could play 48 minutes,” said teammate Anthony Edwards, who had 29 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.

Julius Randle added 22 points for the Wolves, who outscored the Lakers 13-1 over the final 4:37 after Doncic’s tying baseline jumper.

“Our best closing effort of the year, no doubt,” coach Chris Finch said.

LeBron James did the heavy lifting with Doncic playing through a stomach illness, scoring 38 points. He made three 3-pointers in a four-possession span midway through the fourth quarter.

“He was shooting it from Yucatan,” Edwards quipped. “He was shooting it crazy.”

But James couldn't find a shot after that torrid stretch, even hitting the side of the backboard with a corner heave with the Lakers down 111-104 with 1:26 left. Edwards drained a long 2-pointer on the next possession to wrap it up, sauntering over to the edge of the court during a timeout to encourage the crowd to get even louder.

“That was probably the most fun I’ve had in Target Center, for sure,” Edwards said.

Game 4 is in Minneapolis on Sunday.

Austin Reaves had 20 points on 5-for-11 shooting from 3-point range, where the Lakers stayed hot all night to stay close — offsetting 19 turnovers the Wolves converted into 28 points.

“They’re big, they’re long, they’re athletic, they pressure the basketball, they make everything tough,” Lakers coach J.J. Redick said. “We’re going to have some turnovers.”

Randle, a first-round draft pick by the Lakers in 2014 who missed the playoffs last year with New York and has only played in 18 career postseason games, was especially fired up for his first home playoff game with Minnesota. He went 9 for 10 from the free throw line and hustled all over the floor, leading the charge in a 56-26 edge the Wolves had in points in the paint.

Doncic was frequently smothered by McDaniels, Minnesota’s ace perimeter defender, and had a particularly sluggish start. Doncic needed a step-back 28-footer with Edwards guarding him in the closing seconds of the first half to get to eight points at the break.

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Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) celebrates after making a 3-point shot during the second half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers, Friday, April 25, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) looks to pass as Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) defends during the second half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Friday, April 25, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) gestures after making a 3-point basket during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers, Friday, April 25, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James reacts during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Friday, April 25, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic reacts after a Lakers turnover during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series agains the Minnesota Timberwolves, Friday, April 25, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) works toward the basket as Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Goodwin (30) defends during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Friday, April 25, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) goes up for a shot as Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt (2) defends during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Friday, April 25, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards reacts toward a referee during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers, Friday, April 25, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) gestures next to Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) after making a 3-point basket during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Friday, April 25, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) works toward the basket as Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and guard Austin Reaves (15) defend during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Friday, April 25, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Richard “Dick” Codey, a former acting governor of New Jersey and the longest serving legislator in the state's history, died Sunday. He was 79.

Codey’s wife, Mary Jo Codey, confirmed her husband’s death to The Associated Press.

“Gov. Richard J. Codey passed away peacefully this morning at home, surrounded by family, after a brief illness,” Codey's family wrote in a Facebook post on Codey's official page.

"Our family has lost a beloved husband, father and grandfather -- and New Jersey lost a remarkable public servant who touched the lives of all who knew him," the family said.

Known for his feisty, regular-guy persona, Codey was a staunch advocate of mental health awareness and care issues. The Democrat also championed legislation to ban smoking from indoor areas and sought more money for stem cell research.

Codey, the son of a northern New Jersey funeral home owner, entered the state Assembly in 1974 and served there until he was elected to the state Senate in 1982. He served as Senate president from 2002 to 2010.

Codey first served as acting governor for a brief time in 2002, after Christine Todd Whitman’s resignation to join President George W. Bush’s administration. He held the post again for 14 months after Gov. Jim McGreevey resigned in 2004.

At that time, New Jersey law mandated that the Senate president assume the governor’s role if a vacancy occurred, and that person would serve until the next election.

Codey routinely drew strong praise from residents in polls, and he gave serious consideration to seeking the Democratic nomination for governor in 2005. But he ultimately chose not to run when party leaders opted to back wealthy Wall Street executive Jon Corzine, who went on to win the office.

Codey would again become acting governor after Corzine was incapacitated in April 2007 due to serious injuries he suffered in a car accident. He held the post for nearly a month before Corzine resumed his duties.

After leaving the governor’s office, Codey returned to the Senate and also published a memoir that detailed his decades of public service, along with stories about his personal and family life.

“He lived his life with humility, compassion and a deep sense of responsibility to others,” his family wrote. “He made friends as easily with Presidents as he did with strangers in all-night diners.”

Codey and his wife often spoke candidly about her past struggles with postpartum depression, and that led to controversy in early 2005, when a talk radio host jokingly criticized Mary Jo and her mental health on the air.

Codey, who was at the radio station for something else, confronted the host and said he told him that he wished he could “take him outside.” But the host claimed Codey actually threatened to “take him out,” which Codey denied.

His wife told The Associated Press that Codey was willing to support her speaking out about postpartum depression, even if it cost him elected office.

“He was a really, really good guy,” Mary Jo Codey said. “He said, ‘If you want to do it, I don’t care if I get elected again.’”

Jack Brook contributed reporting from New Orleans.

FILE - New Jersey State Sen. and former Democratic Gov. Richard Codey is seen before New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy delivers his State of the State address to a joint session of the Legislature at the statehouse, in Trenton, N.J., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)