Timberwolves Take Control Against Lakers with Unmatched Long-Range Shooting
Everyone came expecting a close contest, but the Minnesota Timberwolves had other ideas—they torched the Los Angeles Lakers 117-95 in Game 1 of their NBA playoffs first-round series, making it look easy. It wasn’t just a win; it was the kind of statement that echoes across the league, and Jaden McDaniels was right at the heart of it. He put up 25 points, grabbed 9 rebounds, and nailed 3 shots from beyond the arc, leaving no doubt about his rising importance on this team.
It wasn’t a one-man show, though. Naz Reid was lights-out, dropping 23 points and drilling in a remarkable six 3-pointers. Then there’s Anthony Edwards, whose 22 points, 9 assists, and 8 rebounds showed how much he can do when the pressure’s on. The chemistry between these three looked downright scary for anyone hoping to stop the Timberwolves.
So what tipped the scale so heavily in Minnesota’s favor? It was all about that three-point shooting. The Wolves didn’t just have a good night—they set a new franchise playoff record with 21 made three-pointers on just 42 attempts. Every time the Lakers tried to claw back, another shot rained down, burying them a little further. The Lakers simply couldn’t keep up with Minnesota’s pace and accuracy from deep. You could almost see the frustration on their faces as the net kept snapping behind them again and again.
Lakers’ Defensive Woes and Timberwolves’ Confidence Shift Series Momentum
Now, plenty of buzz surrounded Luka Dončić after his move to the Lakers, and he sure put on a show in his playoff debut with 37 points. He came out firing, scoring 16 points in the first quarter alone. But even with Dončić’s herculean effort, the Lakers couldn’t do enough on the other end. Their defense let them down, allowing an eye-popping 21 second-chance points—a number that’s just asking for trouble in postseason basketball.
The real turning point came in the second quarter. The Wolves pounced, outscoring the Lakers by 18 points with a 38-20 run. By halftime, it was clear that Minnesota wasn’t just surviving—they were taking over. The Lakers looked rattled and a step slow anytime Minnesota crashed the boards or whipped the ball around for an open shooter. McDaniels and Reid alone combined for 48 points, exposing cracks in the Lakers’ defensive schemes all night.
By the fourth quarter, Minnesota was finishing strong. Not content to coast, the Wolves hit the gas one last time and closed the game on a 16-4 burst, showing off their newfound cohesion and confidence. Anthony Edwards emphasized how their late-season chemistry had been building to this, and it showed in every help rotation and extra pass. It’s not just single players stepping up—it’s the collective energy that makes this Wolves team look so dangerous right now.
So with the Timberwolves holding a commanding 1-0 lead, the action now shifts to Minnesota. The Lakers have plenty of star power, but they’re heading into a hostile court and a red-hot opponent who just sent a clear message: underestimate us at your own risk.
