There was a good deal of optimism surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers as they entered Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday, April 19, 2025. It marked the first Game 1 they played at home since 2012, and many felt they had a real shot at winning this season's NBA championship. But the Timberwolves popped that optimism and replaced it with a good amount of concern, at least for the time being.
After the Lakers got off to a 28-21 lead at the end of the first quarter, Minnesota dominated. They outscored the Lakers 38-20 in the second quarter and put up the first 11 points of the third period, leaving the Lakers scrambling to recover. Minnesota was particularly lethal on the boards, and their 11 offensive rebounds allowed them to shoot a sizzling 21-of-42 from 3-point range. Meanwhile, the Lakers' defensive rotations were a bit slow, and they gave up 25 fast-break points while only scoring six themselves.
While Anthony Edwards didn't hurt the Lakers as much as some feared, Jaden McDaniels scored 25 points, and Naz Reid had 23 points off the bench. McDaniels and Reid combined to shoot an unbelievable 19-of-25 from the field, leading the Timberwolves to a decisive 117-95 victory. This loss instantly puts a lot of pressure on the Lakers to win Game 2, which will take place on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
Rui Hachimura had a mixed performance, starting strong with two early 3-pointers but ultimately finishing with just nine points in 30 minutes. He made three of his nine overall shot attempts, along with five rebounds and two assists. Jaxson Hayes struggled to make an impact, scoring only one point on a free throw in just eight minutes of play. Austin Reaves had a C-minus game, shooting 5-of-13 from the field and finishing with 16 points, three assists, and three rebounds.
Luka Doncic was the standout for the Lakers, scoring 37 points on 12-of-22 shooting, including 5-of-10 from 3-point range and 8-of-9 from the free throw line. However, he also had five turnovers and just one assist, indicating a struggle to facilitate the offense effectively. LeBron James, on the other hand, had a rough outing, scoring just 19 points on 8-of-18 shooting and contributing only three assists. His lack of free throw attempts was notable, as he only went to the line twice despite many of his shots coming close to the basket.
Defensively, Dorian Finney-Smith managed to contain Anthony Edwards to some extent, who shot 8-of-22 and scored only 22 points. However, Finney-Smith's offensive contributions were minimal, as he scored just three points in 33 minutes. Jarred Vanderbilt had a B-minus performance, grabbing four rebounds and adding two assists but only scored two points on 1-of-3 shooting. Gabe Vincent contributed three points, one assist, and one block in 25 minutes, going just 1-of-3 from the field.
On the Timberwolves' side, their depth was clearly a significant factor in the game. With Edwards and Doncic both on the bench to start the second quarter, the Timberwolves' bench took control, scoring 15 of the game's next 17 points. Naz Reid and Jaden McDaniels spearheaded this effort, pushing the Timberwolves' lead to 11 points by halftime and then extending it to over 20 points midway through the third quarter.
As the game progressed, the Lakers found themselves in a hole, unable to recover from the Timberwolves' offensive onslaught. Minnesota's bench outscored the Lakers' reserves 43-13, showcasing the disparity in depth between the two teams. Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, Mike Conley, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker all made significant contributions, further emphasizing the Timberwolves' balanced attack.
Anthony Edwards, while not the leading scorer, played a crucial role in the fourth quarter. After dealing with cramps earlier in the game, he returned to the court and scored five of the Wolves' next eight points, helping to stifle any potential Lakers comeback. With 9 rebounds and 8 assists, Edwards showcased his all-around game, proving that he can step up when needed.
The Lakers' struggles were compounded by their inability to get consistent contributions from players outside their star trio of James, Doncic, and Reaves. Outside of Hachimura's nine points, no other Laker scored more than five, a stark contrast to the Timberwolves' balanced scoring. This lack of support will be a significant concern for head coach JJ Reddick as the series progresses.
As the Lakers prepare for Game 2, they'll need to find ways to generate offense and tighten their defense against a Timberwolves team that appears to have the upper hand. With the pressure mounting, the Lakers must regroup quickly to avoid falling into a deeper series deficit.
The Timberwolves, on the other hand, will look to build on their momentum and aim for a commanding 2-0 lead as they head back to Minnesota for the next two games. If they can maintain their depth and defensive intensity, they could very well upset the heavily favored Lakers.
This playoff series has already proven to be filled with surprises, and with Game 2 just around the corner, fans can expect another thrilling battle on the hardwood.
