From Dan Woike: JJ Redick had validated Austin Reaves all season, publicly and privately praising the Lakers guard as a key player of the roster. It was a topic in Redick’s first news conference as Lakers coach, a topic in the preseason and, as the season began fittingly against the Minnesota Timberwolves, a topic an entire regular season ago.

Even though the Lakers have one of the best offenses in the entire league when they are healthy, they still will have a massive challenge scoring against a Timberwolves team that has great defense in the backcourt and at center.