Physical Minnesota Timberwolves muscle past Los Angeles Lakers 117-95 in play-off opener

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (left) trying to steal the ball from Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels on April 19. PHOTO: EPA-EFE

UPDATED Apr 20, 2025, 04:43 PM

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LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles Lakers coach J.J. Redick admitted that his team may not have been “physically ready” for the Minnesota Timberwolves, who fuelled by 25 points from Jaden McDaniels, cruised past them 117-95 on April 19 in Game 1 of their National Basketball Association Western Conference play-off series.

Luka Doncic, playing his first post-season game with the Lakers after arriving in a stunning February trade, scored 37 points, and LeBron James, chasing a fifth title in his 22nd NBA season, added 19 after shaking off a slow start that saw him go scoreless in the first quarter.

But the Lakers were no match for the Timberwolves, who trailed by seven after the first quarter, took control in the second and never let up to score the first blow in the best-of-seven series.

“It’s not to say our guys weren’t ready to withstand a play-off-level basketball game... I’m not sure physically we were ready,” Redick said. “And really when (Minnesota) started playing with a lot of thrust and physicality, we just didn’t respond to meet that.”