Luka Joins LeBron as Lakers and Timberwolves Kick Off the 2025 NBA Playoffs
If there’s one thing that’s got the basketball world buzzing right now, it’s the start of the 2025 NBA Playoffs — and more specifically, the electrifying showdown between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Game 1 just went down, and the vibes were intense . All eyes were on the Crypto.com Arena in L.A., where Luka Dončić made his long-awaited playoff debut as a Laker. Yeah, you heard that right. Luka in purple and gold is real, and the drama is officially underway.
The Lakers came into this first-round matchup with renewed confidence and a serious chip on their shoulders. After pulling off one of the most surprising trades in recent memory — acquiring Luka from Dallas back in February — the team looks completely transformed. Coach JJ Redick has found his groove, and role players like Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, and Dorian Finney-Smith have been stepping up in a big way. Of course, at the center of it all is the dynamic duo: Luka Dončić and LeBron James. That’s Hollywood-level star power right there.
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But the Timberwolves didn’t come to L.A. just to roll over. Anthony Edwards, one of the brightest young stars in the league, led Minnesota into battle backed by the likes of Jaden McDaniels and Sixth Man standout Naz Reid. In fact, it was the Wolves who landed the first big punch, using a monster second quarter to take control of Game 1. They dropped 38 points in that frame alone, holding the Lakers to just 20 — a stunning turn considering L.A. came out firing in the first quarter shooting 58%.
Luka was the clear standout for the Lakers, putting up 24 points with 7-of-15 shooting, including three triples and seven made free throws. LeBron chipped in with 10 points, but noticeably took a step back early on, only taking two shots in the first quarter. Meanwhile, Naz Reid came off the Minnesota bench and lit it up, nailing four threes en route to a 17-point performance. Edwards was relatively quiet with 8 points, but the Timberwolves’ depth and energy proved enough to tilt the game in their favor.
The final score at the end of the third had the Wolves leading 85–61. Not the kind of start Lakers fans were hoping for, especially with expectations sky-high thanks to Luka’s arrival. But hey — it’s just Game 1, and if we’ve learned anything about playoff basketball, it’s that series are marathons, not sprints.
Odds still favor the Lakers in this series, with experts across the board picking them to win — some in five games, others in seven. USA TODAY’s crew and Sports Illustrated are both betting on LeBron and Luka to figure it out. And honestly, with the firepower L.A. has, it’s hard to count them out. But Minnesota’s early punch has made one thing clear: this won’t be a walk in the park.
If this is how we’re starting off the 2025 playoffs, we’re in for a wild ride.
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