Image Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

NBA Playoffs 2025 – Lakers No Match for Anthony Edwards and Co. in Game 1 Despite Luka Doncic’s Heroics

Image Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

The media buzz was favouring the Los Angeles Lakers to destroy the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA Playoffs series. But look at the fascinating start that the NBA Playoffs 2025 have had on its first day. The Los Angeles Lakers have been served a shocker by the underdog Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Los Angeles Lakers were on the dominant side of the wheel when the game started. Luka Doncic was on fire, shooting accurately and making plays for LeBron James. The duo led their side to a first-quarter lead of 28-21. Problems started for the Lakers when the bench couldn’t respond.

Lakers starters: 82 points
Timberwolves starters: 74 points

Lakers bench: 13 points
Timberwolves bench: 43 points pic.twitter.com/4zgNKF0XmP
— BronMuse (@BronMuse) April 20, 2025

Also Read: Luka Doncic NBA Playoffs Record – What is Doncic’s Win-Loss Record in the NBA Playoffs?

Austin Reaves led the scoring when Doncic was on the sidelines. But apart from that, the offense looked toothless. However, the Timberwolves on the other side took advantage of it. They scripted a massive comeback in the second quarter, taking the overall scoreline closer and bridging the deficit.

The Minnesota Timberwolves led the second quarter score by 38-20. The visiting team took advantage of a poor Lakers defense as well. The mix of Jaxson Hayes and Jarred Vanderbilt didn’t click, which eventually led to the comeback from Ant-Man’s side. Subsequent quarters showed more and more inaccurate shots from the Lakers.

While the Minnesota Timberwolves kept stacking points at the other end. To make matters worse, Austin Reaves, who has been one of the Lakers’ top scorers beyond the arc, went completely silent in the second half. This was how the Timberwolves pulled off a massive upset in the first game by winning 117-95.

With such a dominant performance, Minnesota has set the tone early in the NBA Playoffs 2025 series, and the Lakers now face serious questions ahead of Game 2.

Timberwolves’ Teamwork Overshadows Luka Doncic

Luka Doncic was the only Los Angeles Lakers player who looked comfortable on the court on Friday. He pushed his side in the first quarter, but the rest of the team couldn’t carry themselves beyond that. Doncic scored 37 points with a 50 percent accuracy from beyond the arc.

On the other side, the Minnesota Timberwolves won through a team effort. Anthony Edwards scored 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists. While Naz Reid put up 23 points and took rebounds. But the leader of this team effort was Jaden McDaniels. The young forward rose to the occasion, that eventually freed up Ant-Man’s burden.

He hit 25 points and took rebounds in 33 minutes of action. Julius Randle also had a part to play in the offense, where he managed to stack 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. The Minnesota Timberwolves had a coordinated effort where both their offense and defense clicked.