In a disappointing start to their first-round NBA playoff series, the L.A. Lakers were dominated on their home court Saturday night, falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves with a final score of 117-95. This defeat marked the only loss for a home team on the opening day of the playoffs, which featured four games. Lakers legend Magic Johnson expressed his frustration on social media, criticizing the team for their lackluster performance.
Magic Johnson did not hold back in his assessment of the game, stating, “Tonight was one of the Lakers' worst performances this season.” He pointed out that the team appeared flat and devoid of energy, playing as if it were a routine regular season game rather than an intense playoff matchup. Johnson also directed his criticism towards first-year head coach JJ Redick, suggesting that his coaching decisions fell short during Game 1. “Coach JJ Redick did a great job all season, but he didn’t do a good job for Game 1,” Johnson lamented.
The Timberwolves showcased their skills with standout performances, particularly from star player Anthony Edwards, who nearly achieved a triple-double with 22 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds. Jaden McDaniels added to the Timberwolves' success by scoring 25 points on an impressive 11-for-13 shooting, along with nine rebounds. Additionally, Julius Randle, traded to Minnesota in the Karl-Anthony Towns deal earlier in the season, contributed 16 points, five rebounds, and five assists. The Timberwolves demonstrated their shooting prowess, hitting 51.2 percent (44-for-86) from the field and an impressive 50 percent (21-for-42) from beyond the arc.
In contrast, the Lakers struggled offensively, managing only 39.8 percent (33-for-83) shooting from the field and 36.6 percent (15-for-41) from three-point range. Despite leading by seven points after the first quarter, the Lakers were outscored by 18 points in the second quarter, highlighting their inability to compete physically with the Timberwolves.
After the game, LeBron James acknowledged the challenge presented by the Timberwolves, stating, “This Minnesota team, they’re going to be physical. That’s what they bring to the table. It took us one game … (to) understand that.” He emphasized the need for the Lakers to refocus and control the aspects of the game within their control, expressing optimism for the upcoming games. “They took homecourt advantage from us tonight, but we have to control the controllables, and if we do that, we’ll have a much better chance to win than we did tonight,” James added.
The Lakers will look to bounce back and even the series when they host the Timberwolves again for Game 2 on Tuesday night. Following this crucial matchup, the series will shift to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. The Lakers aim to regain their momentum and improve their performance in order to compete effectively in the playoffs.
