What to Watch for Game One Between the Lakers and Timberwolves
The Los Angeles Lakers have been on a roll, finishing third in the West and avoiding the Play-In. One of the big things to look out for is Luka Doncic and Lebron James' chemistry in the playoffs. They looked good, taking turns playmaking in the point guard and point forward positions, respectively. When the game becomes close or the Lakers need to take command on offense, will it be Doncic or James taking the helm to score the ball? That will be the first sign of who head coach JJ Redick will look for to lead the team to victory.
While they have faced off a few times during the 2024-2025 NBA season, notably beating both the Lakers and Clippers in December by 28 points, and playing well against the West. The Timberwolves and Lakers have faced off once since the Doncic trade. That one time on February 27th, Timberwolves' second star, Julius Randle, was out dealing with a groin injury. Determining who will guard Julius Randle and Anthony Edwards is something to look out for, because Lebron is the better defender between him and Doncic. James will be playing through a reinjured groin. Will he get the defensive matchup against Edwards, one of the explosive players in the NBA, or Randle, a physical threat who, much like James, likes to bully his way to the basket.
The Lakers' players and bench have benefited the most from the Doncic trade. Players like Dorian Finney-Smith were even quoted as saying he is getting “buck-naked wide-open shots” when discussing playing Doncic and James. Austin Reeves, another player who has flourished from the Doncic trade, has left defenses scrambling and guessing whether to double-team Doncic, James, or Reeves himself. He has become a reliable third option for the Lakers, his numbers going from 15 points per game in the 2023-2024 NBA season to 20 points per game this season. Reeves will need to increase those numbers and be as reliable if the Lakers can beat the Timberwolves in this series. Look for him to stamp his mark in game one.
Overall, the Lakers have gotten nowhere near a title since winning one in the bubble in 2020. They got swept by the Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals in 2023. They missed the playoffs entirely in 2022. This playoff run may be one of the final playoffs of James' career and the first of many for Doncic. It is also the first home court advantage the Lakers have had in the playoffs since 2012. Look for the Lakers to consider all this and make their mark in Game One on Saturday.
