LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 2, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: VCG

LeBron James scored 26 points and Malik Monk added 22 as the Los Angeles Lakers earned a 108-103 victory over the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday despite a significant rebounding disadvantage.

Russell Westbrook had 20 points for the Lakers, but had eight turnovers on a night when Los Angeles had 28 rebounds to 56 for Minnesota. The Lakers defeated the Timberwolves for the first time in three tries this season.

Los Angeles won for just the third time in its last nine games, a slide that started with a 110-92 loss at Minnesota on December 17 when Los Angeles star Anthony Davis injured his knee. He has not played since.

Naz Reid scored a season-high 23 points and had 11 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who lost for the fifth time in their last six games. Reid was held scoreless in the fourth quarter. Minnesota was without two of their three top scorers with Karl-Anthony Towns and D'Angelo Russell in COVID-19 protocol.

Anthony Edwards scored 18 points for the Timberwolves but had eight turnovers. Jaylen Nowell had 17 points as Minnesota lost its fourth consecutive road game. Minnesota had 20 offensive rebounds to four for the Lakers.

Minnesota led 72-66 with 6:37 remaining in the third quarter before a 10-0 run by the Lakers gave them a 76-72 advantage. The Timberwolves led 80-78 heading into the fourth quarter.

The Lakers used an 11-4 run midway through the fourth quarter to turn an 89-88 deficit into a 99-93 lead on a jump shot from Westbrook with 4:56 to play. After Minnesota pulled within 99-98 with 3:35 remaining, the Lakers went on an 8-2 run to take a 107-100 advantage into the final minute.

Avery Bradley and Carmelo Anthony each had 14 points for the Lakers, with Anthony scoring nine of those in the fourth quarter. James had seven rebounds and five assists, but was held under 30 points for the first time in eight games.

Elsewhere, the Phoenix Suns, trying to keep pace with the Golden State Warriors atop the Western Conference despite having four players and coach Monty Williams in COVID-19 protocols, thrashed the Hornets in Charlotte 133-99.

Devin Booker scored 24 points and Jalen Smith tied his career-high with 19 points and 12 rebounds as the Suns improved to 28-8 - half a game behind the Warriors for the best record in the league.

Phoenix, who had lost three of their previous four games, drained 17 three-pointers and outrebounded the Hornets 52-35.

Dallas star Luka Doncic, returning from a 10-game absence, came up just shy of a triple-double with 14 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds in the Mavericks' 95-86 victory over the Thunder in Oklahoma City.

Doncic missed five games with an ankle injury, then missed five more over COVID-19.

"My chest was burning," said Doncic, who played 31 minutes in his return. "It was a weird feeling, but happy. Very happy."

Oklahoma City rookie Josh Giddey, back after three games in COVID-19 protocols, became the youngest NBA player to post a triple-double with 17 points, 14 assists and 13 rebounds.

Giddey, at 19 years, two months and 23 days old surpassed LaMelo Ball as the youngest player with a ­triple-double and came up with four steals as well.