Los Angeles, California – The Minnesota Timberwolves showcased their offensive firepower in a dominant 117-95 victory over the star-studded Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series. Led by Jaden McDaniels’ 25 points and Naz Reid’s 23 points, the Wolves overwhelmed the Lakers, who were led by Luka Doncic’s 37-point playoff debut.
Anthony Edwards contributed 22 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds for Minnesota, who took control of the game with a 38-20 second quarter. The Timberwolves set a franchise playoff record with 21 made 3-pointers, with Julius Randle and Edwards combining for eight of those makes. Despite LeBron James’ 19 points for the Lakers, they were unable to keep up with the Wolves’ high-octane offense.
The Lakers, seeded third, struggled to find their rhythm as they faced chemistry issues after acquiring Doncic late in the season. In contrast, the sixth-seeded Timberwolves looked poised and determined to build on their deep playoff run from the previous season.
The Wolves’ relentless scoring and solid defense propelled them to a comfortable lead, going up by as much as 26 points in the third quarter. Although the Lakers mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter behind Doncic’s scoring burst, Minnesota maintained control of the game and secured their 18th win in the last 22 games.
With Game 1 now in the books, all eyes turn to Game 2 in Los Angeles, where the Lakers will look to bounce back and even the series. The Wolves, on the other hand, will aim to continue their impressive performance and push the Lakers to the brink of elimination.
The Lakers, who had homecourt advantage for the first time in a playoff series since 2012, will need to regroup quickly and find a way to contain the Timberwolves’ potent offense in order to avoid falling into a deeper hole in the series. Minnesota, on the other hand, will look to capitalize on their momentum and take a commanding lead as they seek to advance further in the postseason.