In a stunning start to the 2023 NBA postseason, the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 117-95 in Game 1 of the first round. This game opened LeBron James’ 18th playoff year, and he started it with 19 points in his first game. In a game that featured elite shot-making and poise from the Timberwolves, there was little Los Angeles could do to stay in this one.
Offensively, the Timberwolves made a franchise playoff record 21 three-pointers on 42 attempts, showcasing their offensive firepower. Anthony Edwards played a huge part in this win, scoring 22 points to go along with nine assists and eight rebounds. Naz Reid is celebrated for his epic monster games versus the Lakers. Over that middle stretch of the game, he was heavily responsible for pushing the Timberwolves ahead, building an insurmountable lead in the process.
Despite Luka Doncic’s impressive effort, scoring 37 points—his 11th highest playoff performance—the Dallas Mavericks saw their season end in the Play-In tournament, leaving them without postseason success this year. Doncic’s late-game barrage of shots in the fourth quarter attempted to close the gap but ultimately fell short as the Lakers could only trim the deficit to 12 points by game’s end.
The Lakers entered the series as the favorites. For the first time since 2012, they hosted a playoff series at home and were thrilled to be playing in front of a sold-out, red-clad crowd. They massively underperformed the expectations. Here in Game 1 of the opening round, they were just swept by the biggest defeat of James’ illustrious career. The 22-point defeat tied for the Lakers’ largest margin of defeat in a Game 1 home loss in franchise history.
As the game unfolded, the Timberwolves really put their skill as a team and depth on full display. Their combined push proved too much for the third-seeded Lakers, who struggled throughout the game to get into a groove. What really made the difference was the Timberwolves’ knack for excelling when the playoff pressure is at its peak, and they converted on just about all of their chances.
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