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The Wolves showcased their prowess as one of the league’s elite shooting squads during Game 1 with exceptional accuracy.
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LOS ANGELES— The Lakers, following the acquisition of Luka Dončić to team up with LeBron James, aimed for a spectacular playoff debut, culminating in an unforeseen third-place finish in the Western Conference, and they certainly got their wish.
However, it was the Timberwolves who delivered the thunderous performance on Saturday, consequently dampening spirits at Crypto.com Arena with a decisive 117-95 triumph.
Was this outcome surprising? Perhaps it was, primarily due to the Lakers’ star-studded roster and home advantage. Yet, that advantage quickly evaporated, leaving Game 1 devoid of drama.
The Wolves seized control in the second quarter and pressed their advantage. By halftime, they held an 11-point lead, which they doubled just two minutes into the third quarter, ultimately extending it to 27.
They displayed not only superior teamwork but also a more aggressive style of play. This unexpected wake-up call should alert the Lakers to the reality that they face a formidable challenge in this series. The Wolves boast a tenacious Anthony Edwards—who demonstrated just how much he desires success—and they carry the experience of reaching last season’s Western Conference Finals.
Thus, the narrative becomes genuinely intriguing.
“We understand this will be a lengthy series,” said Wolves coach Chris Finch.
Here are Five Takeaways from Minnesota’s victory to kick off this first-round matchup:
1. Edwards poses a threat to both the Lakers and the Wolves
When a player requires 22 attempts to net 22 points, it doesn’t typically denote efficiency; however, Edwards contributed far more than mere scoring, which made his impact in Game 1 exceed the stats.
He didn’t merely find the basket; he added nine assists and eight rebounds to his tally. “The best version of Ant,” Finch remarked, “is when he’s on the cusp of a triple-double.”
He did have a brief scare when he grabbed his left leg with three minutes to go in the third quarter and headed straight to the locker room.
No concern—it was just a cramp. He returned in the fourth quarter right as the Lakers showed minor signs of life, helping to clinch victory.
“He was vocal, guiding the team, demonstrating outstanding leadership,” Finch said. “And they responded.”
2. Lakers ambushed, unable to recover
After starting with a seven-point lead in the first quarter, the middle periods proved disastrous for the Lakers, who were outscored 53-27 at one stretch. Minnesota surged ahead and maintained their dominance.
“They overwhelmed us in that second quarter,” James stated.
Indeed, it was a rapid and aggressive onslaught that left the Lakers scrambling without answers.
“It was our defense,” Wolves forward Julius Randle explained. “We broke the game open with our transition play following defensive stops.”
This raises a concern for the Lakers: can they compete against a versatile defensive unit that avoids mismatches?
The Wolves possess the personnel necessary to challenge LeBron, Luka, and Austin Reaves, the Lakers’ key playmakers. James went scoreless in the first quarter and totaled a rather subdued 19 points, while Reaves struggled with 5-for-13 shooting.
Meanwhile…
3. Luka’s strong start, lacking support
In his initial playoff appearance with the Lakers, Luka seemed intent on making an impact. He scored 20 points by halftime and famously knocked down a half-court shot as the third quarter concluded, briefly energizing the crowd.
However, no other Laker matched the 20-point mark. A significant issue emerged: the Lakers’ bench was outscored 43-13 by their Minnesota counterparts.
“I believe we have eight players who could start,” Finch declared.
The Lakers’ primary concerns stem from their lack of a quality big man and the potential shortcomings of their role players. Both issues were evident on Saturday. The Wolves accumulated 12 more points in the paint and secured six more rebounds than L.A.
Luka concluded the game with 37 points and eight rebounds but recorded a mere one assist, exceptionally low for a playmaker, as his teammates often faltered when he looked to pass the ball.
4. Naz Reid may serve the Wolves better than Rudy Gobert
The Wolves appeared most impressive and dominant with Gobert on the bench and Reid connecting on three-pointers.
This doesn’t imply that Minnesota will make a drastic change by replacing Gobert with Reid, last season’s Kia Sixth Man Award winner, in the starting center position. However, Reid has established himself as the go-to scorer when buckets are needed. Should Gobert continue to be targeted in defensive switches against Doncic, Reid will likely see increased playing time.
Reid shot 6-for-9 from beyond the arc, contributing 23 points in 30 minutes. And with Gobert dealing with foul trouble—he was penalized on Luka’s first play of the game—the Wolves sidestepped concerns about mismatches while Gobert was sidelined.
Reid also led a bench that overwhelmed the Lakers.
“We have a solid group,” Edwards said. “It took us some time to find our rhythm this season, but now we’re hitting our stride.”
5. Jaden McDaniels is a versatile threat on both ends
Luka faced greater challenges against McDaniels than anyone else, as expected. McDaniels, a dynamic defender, typically unsettles opponents. With his lengthy wingspan and mobility, he can guard perimeter players while also imposing himself in the paint.
His offensive game, still developing—averaging just 12 points and shooting 33% from three this season—occasionally surges, as evidenced in Game 1.
He not only scored 25 points, but his scoring left the Lakers regretting their decisions whenever he was left open. McDaniels hit all three of his corner three-point attempts and finished with an impressive 11-for-13 shooting night, also grabbing a game-high nine rebounds.
“I’ve seen his progression since Year One,” Reid noted.
McDaniels remarked, “It highlights my versatility and drive to defend top players while impacting the offensive side of the game.”
When McDaniels helps elevate the offensively average team’s scoring, the defensively-oriented Wolves become formidable. In Game 1, they proved unbeatable.
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Shaun Powell has been covering the NBA for over 25 years. You can email him here, check his archive here, and follow him on X.
The opinions expressed on this page do not necessarily reflect those of the NBA, its teams, or Warner Bros. Discovery.
