T’Wolves Rain Threes to Dismantle Lakers in Playoff Opener
The Los Angeles crowd barely had time to settle in before the Minnesota Timberwolves unleashed a blitz of three-pointers that completely unraveled the Lakers’ defense. Game 1 of this first-round series at Crypto.com Arena wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. Minnesota rolled over the Lakers 117-95, and their outside shooting made all the difference. The Timberwolves didn’t just steal home-court advantage—they obliterated it, drilling a franchise playoff-high 21 three-pointers and putting the rest of the league on notice.
Jaden McDaniels was the night’s unlikely hero, pacing the Wolves with 25 points by attacking the rim and knocking down open outside looks. Naz Reid came off the bench and simply caught fire—he buried six threes on the way to 23 points, stretching out the Lakers’ bigs and punishing every defensive lapse. Reid’s confidence never dipped. Every time the Lakers threatened to close the gap, he found daylight behind the arc and made LA pay.
Of course, Anthony Edwards did Anthony Edwards things—he filled up the stat sheet, scoring 22 points while dishing nine assists and pulling down eight boards. Edwards’ energy set the tone: attacking in transition, finding shooters in the corners, and teasing the Lakers with his quick first step. The Timberwolves’ balance was obvious—Julius Randle also had his shooting touch going, sinking four of those record-breaking triples.
Doncic’s Splashy Debut Not Enough as Wolves Dominate Second Quarter
This game was also marked by Luka Doncic’s much-anticipated Lakers playoff debut. LA fans were buzzing each time Doncic drilled a step-back three or threaded a pass through traffic. He poured in 37 points and gave the Lakers a glimmer of hope early. But Minnesota’s swarming defense focused on making Doncic work for every bucket. While he dazzled individually, LA’s other stars couldn’t find their rhythm.
What truly broke the game open was the Timberwolves’ massive 38-20 run in the second quarter. For that stretch, the Lakers looked helpless—Minnesota’s ball movement was crisp, players slid into open spots, and shots just kept dropping. The Lakers’ bench tried to stem the tide, but with Edwards orchestrating possession after possession, the Wolves kept piling on. By halftime, the energy in the arena felt shaky.
From there, the Lakers couldn’t recover. Attempts to trap Edwards out of pick-and-rolls just left shooters like Reid and McDaniels even more open. Every statistical trend pointed to a Timberwolves team hitting on all cylinders—they’d now won 18 of their last 22 games, and their playoff swagger couldn’t be missed on national TV. ABC’s crew—and fans streaming on ESPN+, NBA League Pass, and YouTube TV—witnessed a performance that might just shape the tone of this series.
Now, all eyes turn to Game 2. The Lakers’ roster is stacked with star power, but they’ll need a lot more than a solo show from Doncic if they want to slow down these Timberwolves and their relentless three-point attack.