Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers have 17 NBA championships to the Timberwolves' zero, with significantly more playoff success and All-Star talent historically. However, the 2024-25 Timberwolves are a younger, rising team with the #5 ranked defense, while the Lakers continue as championship contenders with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Defensive powerhouse with elite wing scoring and championship experience
Historic NBA franchise with 17 championships, currently led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis in Los Angeles.
NBA Championships. All-Time Playoff Appearances. 2024-25 Defensive Ranking (NBA). Team Payroll (2024-25 Season). Win-Loss Record (2023-24 Season). Franchise Founded. Current Star Player Impact Rating
The Lakers remain the more storied franchise with 17 championships and unmatched historical prestige, making them better for fans seeking proven winning tradition. Choose the Timberwolves if you prefer watching a rising, hungry team with elite defense and younger star power; choose the Lakers if you value championship pedigree, established All-Star talent (LeBron + AD), and consistent playoff contention despite recent competitive decline.
Minnesota Timberwolves: 0 | Los Angeles Lakers: 17
Minnesota Timberwolves: 56 | Los Angeles Lakers: 47
Minnesota Timberwolves: 110.8 | Los Angeles Lakers: 112.8
Minnesota Timberwolves: 114.2 | Los Angeles Lakers: 117.9
Minnesota Timberwolves: 4 of 5 | Los Angeles Lakers: 4
Minnesota Timberwolves: $165M | Los Angeles Lakers: $190M
Minnesota Timberwolves: 1 | Los Angeles Lakers: 10
Minnesota Timberwolves: 116.8 | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: 47.6% | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: 46.8 | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: 27.9 | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: 14.3 | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: 21.7 | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: 8.2 | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: 1989 | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: 28-14 | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: 117.3 | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: 25.3 (Edwards) | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: 27.1 | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: 6th (West) | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: 41-28 | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: 116.2 | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: 111.8 | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: 25.8 (Edwards) | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: 110.2 | Los Angeles Lakers: 115.1
Minnesota Timberwolves: 56-26 | Los Angeles Lakers: 45-37
Minnesota Timberwolves: $167M | Los Angeles Lakers: $192.4M
Minnesota Timberwolves: 9 | Los Angeles Lakers: 59
Minnesota Timberwolves: 26 (Anthony Edwards) | Los Angeles Lakers: 40 (LeBron James)
Minnesota Timberwolves: 1 (2024) | Los Angeles Lakers: 31
Minnesota Timberwolves: 29 years (since 1996 move) | Los Angeles Lakers: 76 years (since 1948 founding)
Minnesota Timberwolves: 26.1 | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: 36.1% | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: 100.9 | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: 3 of 10 | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: 37.4% (Edwards) | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: 52-30 | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: +3.4 | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: 36.8% | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: 27.6 | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: 2 | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: 4th | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: 45 | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: 113.2 | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: 0 | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: 26.8 | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: 25.2 (Edwards) | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Current Win-Loss Record (2024-25 season)
Minnesota Timberwolves: 28-24 | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards 26.8 PPG | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Net Rating (scoring margin per 100 possessions)
Minnesota Timberwolves: +1.6 | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: 2 (Edwards, Towns) | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: 8th-10th (projected) | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: 36.4% | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: +4.2 | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: 5th Seed | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: 28-18 | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards 23.8 | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: 5th seed | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: 109.8 | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: 105.2 | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards 25.9 | Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
Minnesota Timberwolves: N/A | Los Angeles Lakers: 124
Minnesota Timberwolves: N/A | Los Angeles Lakers: 47-26
Minnesota Timberwolves: N/A | Los Angeles Lakers: 3rd in Western Conference
Minnesota Timberwolves: N/A | Los Angeles Lakers: 44.0%
Minnesota Timberwolves: N/A | Los Angeles Lakers: Luka Doncic 35.9 PPG
Minnesota Timberwolves: N/A | Los Angeles Lakers: 6-game winning streak
Minnesota Timberwolves: N/A | Los Angeles Lakers: Established modern arena
Minnesota Timberwolves: N/A | Los Angeles Lakers: Austin Reaves 23.6 PPG
Minnesota Timberwolves: N/A | Los Angeles Lakers: 17 championships
Minnesota Timberwolves: N/A | Los Angeles Lakers: 46-35 (4th seed West)
Minnesota Timberwolves: N/A | Los Angeles Lakers: LeBron James - 40 years old
Minnesota Timberwolves: N/A | Los Angeles Lakers: .570 (3,548-2,718)
Minnesota Timberwolves: N/A | Los Angeles Lakers: 8 Finals trips
Minnesota Timberwolves: N/A | Los Angeles Lakers: $186.2 million
Minnesota Timberwolves: N/A | Los Angeles Lakers: Crypto.com Arena - 20,000 capacity
Minnesota Timberwolves: N/A | Los Angeles Lakers: Anthony Davis - 25.9 PPG
How to choose between Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers
Compare Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers. Contains 79 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers.
Will the Timberwolves win a championship before the Lakers?
The Timberwolves have momentum (56-26 in 2023-24, Western Conference Finals appearance), but the Lakers have LeBron James and championship experience. The Timberwolves are favorites long-term given their young core and elite defense, but the Lakers' championship DNA and All-Star duo make them immediate threats. As of 2025-26, neither team has won since 2020 (Lakers), so the window is open for both.
The Timberwolves rank 5th in the NBA with a 110.2 defensive rating (2024-25), while the Lakers rank 18th with 115.1. Minnesota's elite perimeter defense led by Edwards and physical interior play from Karl-Anthony Towns gives them a significant defensive advantage. The Lakers' defense has declined with age affecting LeBron's defensive versatility.
How many current players on each roster are All-Stars?
The 2024-25 rosters include: Timberwolves (Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns—2 confirmed All-Stars); Lakers (LeBron James, Anthony Davis—2 confirmed All-Stars). Both teams field equivalent star power, but the Timberwolves offer more age/longevity advantage, while the Lakers leverage veteran championship experience.
Which team has more financial flexibility?
The Timberwolves have a lower payroll at $158.3M vs. the Lakers' $192.4M, providing $34.1M more flexibility for trades and signings. However, the Timberwolves are approaching the luxury tax threshold with pending extensions. The Lakers' higher payroll reflects commitments to LeBron and Davis but limits midseason acquisitions.
What's the head-to-head record between these teams?
In the 2023-24 season regular season, the Timberwolves held a 2-0 record vs. the Lakers. Historically, the Lakers lead the all-time series 123-85 (as of end of 2023-24 season), though recent matchups favor Minnesota's current roster construction and defensive intensity.
How to Choose Between Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers
NBA Championships: Minnesota Timberwolves has 0 titles, while Los Angeles Lakers has 17 titles.
All-Time Playoff Appearances: Minnesota Timberwolves has 9 appearances (last 2024), while Los Angeles Lakers has 59 appearances.
Consider: 2024-25 Defensive Ranking (NBA)
2024-25 Defensive Ranking (NBA): Minnesota Timberwolves has 5th (110.2 PPG allowed), while Los Angeles Lakers has 18th (115.1 PPG allowed).
Team Payroll (2024-25 Season): Minnesota Timberwolves has $158.3 million, while Los Angeles Lakers has $192.4 million.
Consider: Win-Loss Record (2023-24 Season)
Win-Loss Record (2023-24 Season): Minnesota Timberwolves has 56-26 (0.683 win pct), while Los Angeles Lakers has 45-37 (0.549 win pct).
Franchise Founded: Minnesota Timberwolves has 1989 (as Dallas Mavericks expansion, moved 1996), while Los Angeles Lakers has 1948 (Minneapolis Lakers, moved 1960).
Consider: Current Star Player Impact Rating
Current Star Player Impact Rating: Minnesota Timberwolves has Anthony Edwards (24.0 PPG, #2 seed contributor), while Los Angeles Lakers has LeBron James (23.8 PPG, age 40).