Timberwolves stun Lakers in Game 1 of NBA playoffs

The Los Angeles Lakers were the team everyone had their eyes on in the postseason. This was especially true since they shockingly added Luka Doncic to the roster mid-season.

Related: NBA Playoffs: Nuggets Beat Clippers In Game 1 OT Thriller

The Lakers looked like the better team in the first quarter, largely thanks to Doncic’s brilliance. He scored 16 of the Lakers’ 28 first-quarter points.

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Luka had 16 PTS in his first postseason quarter as a Laker ????????

Get to ABC to see Luka & the Lakers against the Timberwolves in Game 1! pic.twitter.com/B1Vlw51dBB

— NBA (@NBA) April 20, 2025

The Timberwolves would find their rhythm in the second quarter as they went on a 26-6 run. They were firing on all cylinders, with 14 points scored by Jaden McDaniels and 17 by Naz Reid.

LeBron James started the game off slowly. He didn’t score his first points until the 8:23 mark in the second quarter. Overall, LeBron scored 10 in the first half, but they were quiet points.

The Timberwolves took a 59-48 lead into the half, thanks to eight points by Anthony Edwards. Minnesota continued their hot play at the beginning of the third quarter.

The Timberwolves scored the first 11 points, forcing the Lakers to take an early timeout. The Lakers looked to be almost dead in the game until about three minutes to go in the third quarter.

At that time, Minnesota got a scare. Edwards seemingly hurt himself on a driving layup attempt. He immediately ran off the court and back into the locker room.

The Lakers capitalized on this momentum shift and quickly went on a 10-0 run. Minnesota calmed themselves down without Edwards and kept hitting big shots, keeping their lead beyond double figures.

At the end of the quarter, Doncic threw up a shot at the half-court line to beat the buzzer and drilled it. Despite this great shot, the Timberwolves held on to a 94-78 lead after three quarters.

Timberwolves keep pace in second half

Edwards suffered a cramp when he left the game. He would return at the beginning of the fourth quarter and immediately hit a tough turnaround jumper.

The Lakers tried to battle back but tonight wasn’t their night. Minnesota was just too tough, shooting 51.2% from the field and 50% from three as a team.

The Timberwolves take Game 1 by a score of 117-95. Edwards scored 21 for Minnesota, while McDaniels added 27 points.

Doncic led all scorers with 37 points and LeBron added 19 for the Lakers. Still, it wasn’t enough to stop the hot shooting from the Timberwolves.

Anthony Edwards 3 over Luka Doncic pic.twitter.com/zCCPGA7akt

— Timberwolves Clips (@WolvesClips) April 20, 2025

Game 2 will be Tuesday, April 22, at 10:00 PM EST. Can the Lakers get back in the series?

About the Author Published Apr 19, 2025

TITAN FREY

Titan Frey is a dedicated father to three wonderful children, whom he takes immense pride in. His passions include reading, writing, basketball, both playing and watching, and playing chess. Titan spent five years working as a journalist for the basketball website fadeawayworld.net, where he served as editor-in-chief for four and a half years. One of his most notable achievements was interviewing Chuck Cooper III, the son of Chuck Cooper, the first African American ever drafted by an NBA team, and writing a biography that has been praised as the most definitive article about Cooper’s legacy. Titan is the author of more than ten novels and the screenwriter of three produced short films. His newest young adult novel, Echoes of the Hardwood: Braxton Foxworthy’s Time‑Travelling Book Report, blends basketball history with heartfelt storytelling and is now available. Order here: https://a.co/d/bo7BYz1