Dončić’s Playoff Debut Cut Short by Timberwolves in Game 1

LOS ANGELES, CA — Luka Dončić’s playoff debut with the Los Angeles Lakers took a disappointing turn on Saturday night as the Timberwolves defeated the Lakers 117-95 in Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round series.

Dončić scored 37 points, but it was not enough to secure a victory against Minnesota, who took control of the game with a dominating second quarter. The Timberwolves outscored the Lakers 38-20 in that quarter, showcasing their impressive shot-making ability.

Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 22 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds, helping his team secure a crucial win on the road. “I got a great group of guys,” he said after the game. “It just took a minute for us to gel as a new team, and I feel like now we just go.”

The Timberwolves set a franchise playoff record by making 21 three-pointers. Coach Chris Finch expressed his cautious optimism, stating, “It means Game 1. 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.”

LeBron James, who added 19 points in the game, recognized the challenge posed by the Timberwolves, saying, “This Minnesota team, they’re going to be physical. They took homecourt advantage from us tonight, but we have to control the controllables.”

With Game 2 scheduled for Tuesday night in Los Angeles, the Lakers will look to bounce back and level the series. Dončić, reflecting on the game, noted, “We just kind of let go of the rope. So we’ve got to be way more physical.”