It was a game that the Lakers had to win, and LeBron James had to play great. James almost had a triple-double in this game, pouring in 21 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and dishing out seven assists.

The Los Angeles Lakers’ win over the Minnesota Timberwolves was downright mandatory on Tuesday night. The Lakers needed a victory, or their chances of making it out of the opening round of the playoffs would be dashed.

Spurred by their tone-setting 40-year-old superstar, the Lakers defend their rears off to square their best-of-seven first-round series against the Timberwolves with a bruise-filled 94-85 win.