When Luka Doncic scored 16 points in the first quarter of his playoff debut with his new team, the Los Angeles Lakers’ downtown arena crackled with excitement from fans probably imagining dream scenarios for their team and its new superstar this spring.
But the Timberwolves made sure that dream got ugly quite quickly in Game 1. They also left the Lakers looking for ways to help Doncic before Minnesota runs away with this first-round series. Doncic scored 37 points and eight rebounds, but it wasn’t nearly enough to counter the Wolves’ balanced scoring in their 117-95 victory Saturday night.
Anthony Edwards was not at all surprised when the Minnesota Timberwolves showed enough talent and togetherness to turn Doncic’s playoff debut with the Lakers into a rout for the visitors. Edwards had 22 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in the first-round series opener for the sixth-seeded Wolves, who have won 18 of their last 22 games.
“I got a great group of guys,” Edwards said. “But it wasn’t tonight. I learned that in training camp. It just takes a minute for us to gel as a new team. It just took a minute for us to figure each other out, and I feel like now we just go.”
Minnesota’s superior physicality was obvious for long stretches, even with Rudy Gobert playing only 24 minutes. But the Wolves took control and kept it largely because they hit 21 3-pointers on only 42 attempts.
“It means Game 1,” Minnesota coach Chris Finch said. “We know it’s going to be a long series. We’re not under any assumption that it’s going to be this type of game in Game 2. It’ll be a completely different game. We got a lot left. A lot of meat on the bone out there. A lot of things. I know we can do better.”
LeBron James had 19 points to begin his 18th NBA postseason, but the third-seeded Lakers were overwhelmed by the Wolves’ shot-making and playoff poise.
“This Minnesota team, they’re going to be physical,” James said. “That’s what they bring to the table. It took us one game ... (to) understand that. 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.”
The Lakers’ crowd stayed in the game throughout the night, but the huge second-half deficit obviously dampened the excitement. Edwards wasn’t exactly complimentary about that crowd after the Wolves cruised to victory, either
“An atmosphere like this, it’s easy for me, man,” Edwards said. “I’ve played in Denver, man. Denver is a tough place to play on the road. So I mean, it was nothing.”
GAME TWO PREVIEW
Minnesota Timberwolves (49-33, sixth in the Western Conference) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (50-32, third in the Western Conference)
Los Angeles; Tuesday, 9 p.m. CDT
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Lakers -5.5; over/under is 214
WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Timberwolves lead series 1-0
BOTTOM LINE: The Minnesota Timberwolves visit the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference first round with a 1-0 lead in the series.
The Lakers are 36-16 against Western Conference opponents. Los Angeles ranks ninth in the Western Conference with 48.0 points per game in the paint led by Luka Doncic averaging 14.0.
The Timberwolves have gone 33-19 against Western Conference opponents. Minnesota ranks fifth in the NBA averaging 15.0 made 3-pointers per game while shooting 37.7% from deep. Anthony Edwards leads the team averaging 4.1 makes while shooting 39.5% from 3-point range.
The Lakers' 13.3 made 3-pointers per game this season are only 0.6 more made shots on average than the 12.7 per game the Timberwolves give up. The Timberwolves average 15.0 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.4 more made shots on average than the 13.6 per game the Lakers allow.
TOP PERFORMERS: Austin Reaves is averaging 20.2 points and 5.8 assists for the Lakers. Doncic is averaging 27.7 points over the last 10 games.
Julius Randle is scoring 18.7 points per game and averaging 7.1 rebounds for the Timberwolves. Edwards is averaging 4.5 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Lakers: 6-4, averaging 115.2 points, 41.1 rebounds, 23.3 assists, 7.7 steals and 3.8 blocks per game while shooting 47.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.3 points per game.
Timberwolves: 9-1, averaging 120.0 points, 47.5 rebounds, 27.2 assists, 6.3 steals and 5.6 blocks per game while shooting 49.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.7 points.
INJURIES: Lakers: Maxi Kleber: out (foot).
Timberwolves: Rob Dillingham: day to day (ankle).
The Associated Press contributed to this story.