Anthony Edwards stirred up some pre-game excitement by talking trash to Luka Dončić before Tuesday's pivotal Game 2. However, it was Dončić who ultimately had the last laugh, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 94-85 victory over Edwards' Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena. This win evened their Western Conference playoffs first-round series at one game apiece.
Although Minnesota managed to split the first two games and temporarily seized home-court advantage, Dončić had other plans. He delivered a spectacular performance, scoring 31 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, and dishing out nine assists. LeBron James also shone brightly, contributing 21 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists. On the Timberwolves side, both Edwards (with 25 points and six rebounds) and Julius Randle (who scored 27 points and provided six assists) put forth a valiant effort.
Social media buzzed with commentary focusing on the matchup between James and Dončić. Despite this, it was the Timberwolves who controlled Game 1 and delivered a surprising blowout that put them in a strong position. Tuesday's game presented a golden opportunity for Minnesota to take a commanding 2-0 lead before the series shifted to their home court. Sensing the urgency, the Lakers responded emphatically right from the start.
Los Angeles jumped out to a commanding 19-point lead by the end of the first quarter, fueled by Dončić's fiery start. Gabe Vincent added to the excitement with a late triple off the bench, further solidifying the Lakers' dominance. Remarkably, Dončić outscored the entire Timberwolves team in that opening quarter, making Edwards' pre-game trash talk seem all the more questionable.
In fairness to Edwards, he did his best to cut into the Lakers' lead, showcasing his athleticism with a jaw-dropping dunk over Jaxson Hayes. However, Dončić consistently had an answer, countering every small run Minnesota attempted to make. The five-time All-Star dazzled with his spectacular passes and clutch baskets, effectively stifling any momentum the visitors tried to build.
Furthermore, Dončić's knack for drawing fouls and getting to the free-throw line helped the Lakers maintain their lead as the game progressed. Despite the Timberwolves managing to shrink the deficit to single digits multiple times in the fourth quarter, they were never able to fully overcome the uphill battle. In the final minutes, James made crucial plays, including a pivotal steal from Edwards, ensuring the victory was secured.
Looking ahead, the Lakers will need to strategize effectively to secure a win on the road if they wish to advance past the first round. As the series now shifts to Minnesota for Friday's Game 3, the stakes are higher than ever for both teams.
