LOS ANGELES, CA – The Minnesota Timberwolves stunned the Los Angeles Lakers in their Western Conference First Round playoff opener on Saturday night, securing a decisive 117-95 victory at Crypto.com Arena. While the final score showcased a team effort, it was the impactful performance of Anthony Edwards that set the tone for the Timberwolves’ dominant win.
Edwards showcased his all-around game, contributing 22 points, 8 rebounds, and a near double-double with 9 assists. He also added a steal in his 35 minutes of play, demonstrating his value on both ends of the court. Despite a brief scare in the third quarter when he appeared to suffer a leg injury, Edwards returned to the game and helped Minnesota maintain their comfortable lead.
The Timberwolves’ victory was fueled by a strong offensive showing, particularly after the first quarter. They shot an impressive 50% from three-point range, connecting on 21 of their 42 attempts. While Edwards went 4-for-9 from beyond the arc, it was Jaden McDaniels who led the scoring for Minnesota with 25 points on an efficient 11-of-13 shooting, including three three-pointers. Naz Reid also provided a significant boost off the bench, adding 23 points and hitting six three-pointers.
After a slow start that saw them trailing 28-21 at the end of the first quarter, the Timberwolves flipped the switch in the second, outscoring the Lakers 38-20 to take a commanding lead into halftime. They continued their momentum in the third quarter, building their lead to as much as 27 points.
Despite a valiant effort from Luka Doncic, who led the Lakers with 37 points and 8 rebounds in his playoff debut for Los Angeles, the Timberwolves’ balanced attack and stifling defense proved too much to handle. LeBron James added 19 points for the Lakers, but the rest of the team struggled to find consistent offense.
This Game 1 victory marks a significant step for the sixth-seeded Timberwolves as they steal home-court advantage from the third-seeded Lakers. The series now shifts to Game 2 in Los Angeles on Tuesday, with the Timberwolves looking to build on their impressive performance.
Following the game, Anthony Edwards downplayed the significance of the win, stating, “It’s not big at all, man. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now. Just Game 1.” This calm and collected attitude suggests a focused Timberwolves team ready for the challenges ahead in this playoff series.