The Minnesota Timberwolves kicked off their playoff series with a strong performance, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers 117-95 on Saturday. Jaden McDaniels led the way for the Timberwolves, scoring 25 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Anthony Edwards also had a standout game with 22 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists.
The Timberwolves, who entered the playoffs as the No. 6 seed, showed their confidence and skill, improving to 5-0 in first-round playoff games over the last two seasons. Naz Reid contributed significantly with 23 points, while Julius Randle added 16 points for the Lakers.
Minnesota shot an impressive 51.2 percent from the field and hit 21 of their 42 three-point attempts. Their strong finish to the regular season, where they went 17-4, carried over into this playoff game. McDaniels mentioned the importance of playing with confidence, crediting his teammates for their support.
Despite the victory, the Timberwolves faced some injury concerns. Edwards left the game late in the third quarter with a leg injury but returned in the fourth. Reid also suffered a blow to the head from Jarred Vanderbilt, but the Timberwolves maintained control of the game.
Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 37 points and eight rebounds, but the team struggled overall, shooting just 39.8 percent. They were outscored in fast-break points and bench points, which contributed to their defeat. Austin Reaves added 16 points for Los Angeles, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Minnesota’s offensive firepower.
The game started with the Lakers taking an early lead, but the Timberwolves dominated the second quarter, going into halftime with a 59-48 advantage. They continued their momentum into the second half, opening with an 11-0 run.
Game 2 of the series is set for Tuesday in Los Angeles, where the Lakers will look to bounce back from this loss. The Timberwolves will aim to build on their strong start and take a commanding lead in the series.