Russell is hopeful to play Sunday

THE SCORE TIMBERWOLVES 110, LAKERS 102

handle James' injury.

“If it wasn't for him and his play, we wouldn't be this close to have a chance to improve going forward,” Ham said. “So just want him to take his time and be aligned with the medical staff, and do what he needs to do to get back as quickly as possible. So the guys know everybody – we have to step up, all of us.”

Timberwolves face former players

In a funny quirk of the schedule, Jarred Vanderbilt and Malik Beasley could play the Minnesota Timberwolves as much as five times this season — NBA teams only play each other four times at most during the regular season.

But the duo — who played in Minnesota for three seasons together — have already played the Timberwolves three times when they were with the Utah Jazz, and the Lakers have them on the schedule twice after the All-Star break. That might have been what Finch had in mind when he deadpanned about seeing them again.

“Seems like every other week we're playing against Vando and Beas,” he quipped.

But the two, who were traded to Utah in the offseason as part of the deal for center Rudy Gobert, have happy memories with the franchise, including helping them make the postseason last spring. Finch called it “surreal” to see three of his players from last season (and Russell from this season) on the opposing roster — if Russell had been healthy, all three 2021-22 Timberwolves would have started.

Finch said of Beasley “I know how hot he can get” from behind the arc, and he was particularly complimentary of Vanderbilt's defensive versatility.

“He can guard oftentimes four guys out there — his switching is particularly outstanding,” Finch said. “End of games, it's really important. He gets steals, he gets 50-50 balls, super physical. He's a possessions guy, he gets you offensive rebounds. All of that stuff is invaluable.”