Jaden McDaniels Shines as Timberwolves Shock Lakers in Game 1 Blowout
Let me tell you what just went down in Game 1 between the Lakers and Timberwolves — because, wow, this was not what anyone expected. While all the headlines were gearing up to talk about Luka Dončić and LeBron James, it was Jaden McDaniels who completely stole the show and turned the game on its head.
The Lakers came into the playoffs with all eyes on them. Luka's arrival alongside LeBron was supposed to be the big postseason power move, and Game 1 in Los Angeles was meant to be their grand statement. Instead, Minnesota walked into Crypto.com Arena and handed the Lakers a serious reality check with a dominant 117-95 win.
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Now, yes, Luka had a solid night — 37 points and some dazzling moments, including a half-court buzzer-beater — but it wasn’t enough. The Lakers were chasing shadows for most of the game, especially during that brutal stretch in the second and third quarters when the Wolves just exploded. The Lakers’ supporting cast? Practically invisible. Their bench got outscored 43-13. That’s a huge problem.
But let’s talk Jaden McDaniels. He was everywhere. Not just defensively — which, let’s be honest, we already expect from him — but offensively, he lit it up. He went 11-for-13 from the field, hit all three of his corner threes, and dropped 25 points. Add in nine rebounds, and you've got a two-way performance that completely changed the game. Luka, for all his brilliance, had to work harder for every bucket when McDaniels was guarding him.
And that’s the thing — McDaniels isn’t just filling a role anymore. He’s expanding it. He was known primarily as a defensive disruptor, but in this game, he punished the Lakers every time they gave him space. If he keeps showing this kind of offensive growth, Minnesota’s ceiling just got a lot higher.
Anthony Edwards also deserves credit. He flirted with a triple-double — 22 points, nine assists, eight boards — and even though he had a brief scare with a cramp, he came back in the fourth and immediately made an impact. Meanwhile, Naz Reid was nails off the bench, dropping 23 points and hitting six threes. Honestly, Minnesota’s whole bench outplayed the Lakers'.
So what’s the takeaway here? The Timberwolves didn’t just win — they dominated. They were tougher, smarter, more prepared, and they absolutely shot the lights out with a franchise playoff record 21 threes. If the Lakers thought this was going to be a cakewalk because they had the home court and a stacked duo in LeBron and Luka, they just got a wake-up call.
Game 2 is going to be huge. Because if McDaniels and the Wolves keep this up? This series might not go the distance — and it definitely won’t go the way the Lakers hoped.
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