It still wasn’t their best outing, but the Los Angeles Lakers did bounce back after a Game 1 blowout to even up their first-round series with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Los Angeles roared out of the gate in Game 2, but Minnesota ran much of the second half but could not close the gap enough to threaten the game. A win is a win, and Luka Dončić and LeBron James guided the Lakers to that much-needed win. Of course, the job is not nearly complete, and while it was still a choppy game for the Lakers all around, two games in, Dončić knows even more about what it will take to overtake the Timberwolves and send them home in the next five games.
What Lakers Duo Must Do to Bounce Timberwolves
Los Angeles Lakers Duo Luka Dončić and LeBron James have conjoined mission in getting past Anthony Edwards’ Timberwolves
JJ Redick called for a higher dose of physicality heading into Game 2—an element the Lakers did not produce in Game 1. Redick got what he wanted, and it certainly affected the game in LA’s favor despite the contrast of the first and second halves. There’s no question that Dončić has stepped up offensively in his first two playoff games, scoring a combined 68 points (31 in Game 2), and he seems to be having his way with defenders for the most part. As for James, while he’s been good, he hasn’t been more than that. He’s likely trying to save energy in round one for when he will need it most as the playoffs progress. Or, he’s letting Luka carry more of the load, allowing him to ramp up and get hot. The postseason is long, and the better Luka is, the better the Lakers will be.
When it comes to the duo of LeBron and Luka, scoring and playmaking are only part of what will make them and Los Angeles successful. As it stands with their first-round opponent, Dončić is more than aware of what he and James must bring to the table to get past Anthony Edwards and co. Following the Game 2 win, Dončić spoke about that as the Lakers prepare to head to Minnesota.
“Obviously, not [to] panic. But it’s me and LeBron. As leaders of the team, we gotta keep the team together. Going into Minnesota, it’s going to be a war. The fans are going to be cheering like crazy. No matter what, we can’t panic. It’s up to me and Bron to keep the team together.”
“Me and Bron have to keep the team together. Going into Minnesota is going to be a war.”
Luka Doncic says the Lakers can’t panic as the series shifts to the Wolves’ home floor
(via @NBATV)pic.twitter.com/5qPPUF94S1
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 23, 2025
On the road again
It will be war—Luka has that right. The Timberwolves left Hollywood with the best-case scenario other than a two-game lead: a split. The Target Center will be loud, as was evident in last year’s playoffs when Antman led Minnesota into the conference finals. The Lakers, though, are about to step into territory that stumbled them throughout the regular season: playing on the road.
While one of the best home teams this season, the Lakers were not very good away from Crypto.com arena. They were 19-22 on the road yet still managed to clinch the third seed in the West. As they visit the Timberwolves, LA will have to forget their road woes on the plane and start from scratch. That said, Luka and LeBron know this, not to mention that Luka sent Minnesota home in last year’s conference finals, so he knows how to win in that environment.
© Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images
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