Lakers Stumble in Game 1 Against Timberwolves: A Lesson in Playoff Physicality
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers, after battling through the play-in tournament in the past two seasons just to secure a spot in the playoffs, were eager to enjoy a week of preparation before their first-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves. This break was supposed to be a time for healing and strategic planning. However, the Lakers’ 117-95 loss to the Wolves on Saturday night revealed that they were not ready for the intense physicality that Minnesota brought to the court.
Coach JJ Redick candidly admitted, “It’s not to say our guys weren’t ready to withstand a playoff-level basketball game. … I’m not sure physically we were ready.” The Lakers were caught off guard by the Wolves’ aggressive play, as Redick noted, “And really when [the Wolves] started playing with a lot of thrust and physicality, we just didn’t respond to meet that.”
Lakers guard Austin Reaves echoed this sentiment, stating, “I think that they just physically beat us from the get-go.”
The Timberwolves dominated from the second quarter through the middle of the third, outscoring the Lakers 67-33. Minnesota’s formidable frontline, featuring the 7-1 Rudy Gobert, the 6-9 Jaden McDaniels, and the 6-9 Julius Randle, controlled the boards and forced turnovers, dictating the game’s flow with their defensive prowess. Luka Doncic remarked that the Lakers “let go of the rope.”
LeBron James, who holds the record for the most playoff games in NBA history, including the most Game 1s, saw this as a learning experience. “Maybe it took us one playoff game to now get a feel for it and know what type of intensity, the type of physicality is going to be brought to the game,” James said after scoring 19 points. “But that’s just the way they play. So we should be more than prepared for that on Tuesday night [in Game 2].”
The Lakers initially showed promise, with Doncic scoring 16 of his game-high 37 points in the first quarter. He drew fouls on key Wolves players, including Gobert, McDaniels, and Anthony Edwards. However, as Doncic focused on his own scoring, his teammates, including James and Reaves, struggled to find their rhythm. “I just tried to set the tone early,” Doncic explained. “But obviously, one assist, that’s not good enough for me.”
Edwards, who scored 22 points despite dealing with cramps, highlighted the Wolves’ strategy of pushing the limits of physical play without getting into foul trouble. “Just tried to be as physical as possible,” Edwards said. “The main thing for us was, we didn’t want them to get into the bonus early. Because … you see a couple free throws go in, Luka gets into a rhythm, Bron gets into a rhythm.”
The Lakers attempted 16 free throws compared to Minnesota’s 11.
In a bid to change the game’s momentum, Redick benched starting center Jaxson Hayes early in the second half. He opted for a smaller lineup, hoping to increase activity with wings Dorian Finney-Smith and Jarred Vanderbilt at the 5. Vanderbilt’s efforts helped reduce the deficit from 27 to 16 points by the end of the third quarter. However, the closest the Lakers got was within 12 points before the Wolves extended their lead again.
- Vanderbilt emphasized the need for aggression in Game 2, stating, “I think we got to be the aggressor. I feel like they hit us first. And they were the more physical team for the majority of the game. … It’s the playoffs, man. We got to play hard. I think they were beating us to all the 50-50 balls and offensive rebounds, the loose balls. Just everything, they were winning that battle. And I think in the playoffs, the tougher team that wins that battle wins the game.”
When the Lakers weren’t struggling inside, the Wolves were causing problems on the perimeter, setting a postseason franchise record by hitting 21-of-42 3-point attempts. McDaniels (25 points, including 3-for-3 from 3) and Naz Reid (23 points, including 6-for-9 on 3s) were particularly effective.
Now, the Lakers have a clearer understanding of what to expect, with only two days to regroup before Game 2 on Tuesday.
“It was a great atmosphere,” Doncic said. “I’m sorry we couldn’t get the win — the first win. But it’s always first to four.”
Originally Written by: Dave McMenamin
