LeBron James experienced a new low in his storied playoff career on Saturday, as the Los Angeles Lakers were thoroughly outplayed in a 117-95 blowout loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoffs. The defeat marked the most lopsided Game 1 loss of James’ career in the opening round, setting a troubling tone for the Lakers’ postseason hopes.
Despite a promising start in front of their home crowd, the Lakers quickly lost control of the game. After ending the first quarter with a 28-21 lead, Los Angeles unraveled in the second, getting outscored by 18 points as Minnesota surged ahead with a 59-48 halftime advantage. The Timberwolves maintained their momentum in the second half, executing with precision on both ends of the court and never allowing the Lakers to mount a serious comeback.
Minnesota’s offensive efficiency was a major factor in the win. The Timberwolves shot a blistering 51.2% from the field and a red-hot 50% from three-point range, knocking down 21 triples in total. Their relentless perimeter shooting and dominance in transition exposed serious flaws in the Lakers’ defensive effort.
Speaking to the media postgame, LeBron James acknowledged the team’s shortcomings and emphasized the need for sharper execution. “Obviously, we’ve got to do a better job of controlling the controllables, and we didn’t do that after the first quarter,” he said. “Giving up 21 threes, giving up 20-plus fast break points, second-chance points—those are all things within our control. We’ve got to be better.”
James also expressed frustration over the Lakers’ failure to guard the perimeter, especially given their awareness of Minnesota’s shooting prowess. “We knew they were capable of shooting the three well,” he said. “We’ve got to do a better job closing out on shooters and staying connected to bodies. That’s on us.”
Despite the tough loss, there were a few bright spots for the Lakers. James contributed 19 points, while Luka Doncic—making his first playoff appearance in Los Angeles—put up an impressive 37 points, including 19 in the fourth quarter. However, his late surge wasn’t enough to overcome the Timberwolves’ commanding lead.
With the series now tilting in Minnesota’s favor, the Lakers face significant pressure to regroup and respond in Game 2. For LeBron and his squad, the margin for error is quickly narrowing.
