Lakers Lose Momentum Early in Play-Off Clash with Timberwolves

Lakers lose opener as Timberwolves turn up the intensity in dominant win

The Los Angeles Lakers’ 2025 postseason got off to a rocky start on Sunday night as they were handed a stinging 117-95 defeat by the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round play-off series. On a night when the energy in Crypto.com Arena never quite found its rhythm, the Timberwolves made sure to silence the home crowd early—and for good.

It was Minnesota, seeded sixth, who looked every bit the more composed and cohesive unit. The visitors controlled the tempo from the opening tip and made sure their physicality did the talking. For the Lakers, billed by many as dark horses for a deep run this spring, it was a reality check—and a reminder that reputations mean little when the play-offs begin.

Timberwolves’ trio takes centre stage

Jaden McDaniels had himself a night, finishing with 25 points on efficient shooting and setting the tone at both ends of the floor. He wasn’t alone. Sixth Man of the Year contender Naz Reid came off the bench with a vengeance, pouring in 23 points and causing matchup nightmares for the Lakers’ second unit.

Anthony Edwards was typically explosive. He filled the stat sheet with 22 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists—just one shy of a triple-double—and he orchestrated the Timberwolves’ offense with maturity beyond his years. At one point, Minnesota led by as many as 27 points, and it never truly felt like the game was slipping from their grasp.

It was, crucially, the only road win in any of the first-round openers across the NBA, a fact that gives this result extra weight.

A shaky start for the Lakers’ new-look roster

Lakers suffer blowout Game 1 playoff loss to Timberwolves

The Lakers, who went into the post-season as the No. 3 seed, were flat from the start. LeBron James, now in his 22nd NBA season and still chasing that elusive fifth title, failed to score in the opening quarter—a rarity by any standard. Though he rallied later to finish with 19 points, the damage had been done.

The spotlight, however, was on Luka Dončić. Acquired in a blockbuster February trade from the Dallas Mavericks, Dončić made his Lakers play-off debut with a bang, dropping a game-high 37 points. His shot-making kept Los Angeles within reach, but with minimal support and little defensive cohesion, his effort ultimately felt like a solo mission.

After the game, Lakers head coach JJ Redick struck a calm but honest tone.

“I thought our spirit was right,” Redick said. “Even when they made runs, the communication in the huddle was there. The belief was there. But when they ramped up the physicality, we didn’t respond the way we needed to. That’s something we have to fix, and quickly.”

Elsewhere in the West: Nuggets edge Clippers in thriller

Doncic, Lakers lose to Timberwolves in Game 1 of playoffs

Over in Denver, defending champions the Nuggets were made to sweat but ultimately squeezed past the Clippers in a 112-110 overtime classic. Nikola Jokić, the reigning MVP, delivered yet another all-around masterclass: 29 points, 12 assists, nine rebounds, and three steals. Just another day at the office for the Serbian star.

The Nuggets had trailed by as many as 15 in the first half, but Jokić, Aaron Gordon, and veteran guard Russell Westbrook—facing his former team—helped flip the script in the second half. The result puts Denver 1-0 up in a series that already looks like it could go the distance.

In the East: Knicks surge late, Pacers stun the Bucks

Back in the Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks produced a stunning fourth-quarter rally to take down the Detroit Pistons 123-112. The Knicks scored 21 unanswered points in a five-minute blitz to flip the game on its head.

Jalen Brunson, as so often, was the catalyst. He scored 23 of his 34 points in the second half, while Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby each chipped in with 23 points. For the Pistons, making their first play-off appearance since 2019, it was a harsh lesson in what it takes to close out a game in April.

Meanwhile, in a surprise result, the Indiana Pacers toppled the Milwaukee Bucks 117-98 despite a monster night from Giannis Antetokounmpo. The two-time MVP dropped 36 points, but it wasn’t enough to slow down a Pacers team that played fast, shared the ball, and looked fearless.

Game 2 looms large for Los Angeles

For the Lakers, there’s no time to dwell. Game 2 is just around the corner, and if they want to avoid falling into a 0-2 hole before heading to Minnesota, they’ll need to bring far more urgency and physicality from the opening tip.

There’s no doubt that with James and Dončić, the firepower is there. But as the Timberwolves showed in Game 1, it’s not just about star names—it’s about effort, energy, and execution. The Lakers lose their opening play-off battle, but the war is far from over.