Minnesota @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 6, 2019 ) L.A. Lakers 86, Minnesota 108

Los Angeles Lakers point guard Rajon Rondo is a game-time decision for Thursday's home contest against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Rondo missed the past 14 games with a finger injury and said he will likely make a decision during the day on Thursday.

The Lakers could certainly use Rondo on the floor with starter Lonzo Ball (ankle) sidelined but he said he won't play if he isn't ready. "I'm just taking it day by day and I will see how it feels in the morning when I wake up," Rondo said after Wednesday's practice. "I have to come back when I'm healthy ... I can't come back depending on whether guys are out or not." The Timberwolves are coming off back-to-back win over the Phoenix Suns and won six of their past nine games. Center Karl-Anthony Towns had 25 points, 18 rebounds and seven assists in Tuesday's 118-91 road win over the Suns for his 11th double-double in the past 14 games.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT, Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles)

ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (23-24): Rookie shooting guard Josh Okogie scored a season-best 21 points in 25 minutes on Tuesday while continuing to show he is a key cog per Minnesota's future. Okogie, the 20th overall pick from Georgia Tech, made four 3-pointers for the second time in six games and has scored in double figures in four of the past six outings. "It's a great thing to have a rookie like Josh play as well as he did," Towns told reporters. "He came in and played with a lot of energy and gave us a spark and you can't ask any more from him. He's doing a great job all year."

ABOUT THE LAKERS (25-23): Forward LeBron James (groin) still isn't ready to return but coach Luke Walton indicated on Wednesday that either Sunday against the Phoenix Suns or Tuesday versus the Philadelphia 76ers could be a possibility. Los Angeles is just 5-9 since James was injured on Christmas Day against the Golden State Warriors but the 34-year-old is getting in more drill work and pushing closer to a return. Walton is more confident about Rondo saying, "I think Rondo will play Thursday as long as he continues to move with no setbacks."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Timberwolves are 2-1 against the Lakers this season but dropped a 114-110 decision when the teams met in Los Angeles on Nov. 7.

2. Los Angeles C Ivica Zubac is averaging 20.3 points on 23-of-28 shooting over the past three games.

3. Minnesota PG Jeff Teague (foot) is expected to miss his second straight contest.

PREDICTION: Lakers 112, Timberwolves 107