Austin Reaves faced criticism after a lackluster performance in the Lakers' 117-95 Game 1 defeat against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Reaves managed just 16 points on 5-of-13 shooting, which is a stark contrast to his regular season average of 20.2 points. His struggles were echoed by LeBron James, who scored only 19 points, while Luka Doncic shone with a remarkable 37-point effort for the Timberwolves.

Reaves acknowledged his disappointing showing and expressed a need to rediscover his rhythm. He stated, "I wasn't myself... just got to go out there and be myself, play my game and have fun doing it." With the team down in the series, the Lakers will need Reaves to return to form if they hope to rebound in Game 2.

Magic Johnson has voiced his dissatisfaction with the Los Angeles Lakers' rookie head coach, JJ Redick, following their disappointing 117-95 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the playoffs. Despite expectations of the Lakers as title contenders, their performance showcased significant issues, including an offensive collapse with a shooting percentage below 40%. The Lakers struggled to create scoring opportunities, recording just 15 assists and missing fast-break chances.

Star player Luka Doncic shone with 37 points, yet LeBron James and Austin Reaves failed to deliver impactful performances, contributing only 19 and 16 points, respectively. Johnson emphasizes that the series now hinges on Game 2, where a decisive victory could restore confidence in the Lakers' playoff aspirations and validate their championship ambitions this season.

The Los Angeles Lakers face a pivotal Game 2 against the Minnesota Timberwolves after a disappointing 117-95 defeat in Game 1. The Lakers must address rebound deficiencies, as they were outdone on the boards and allowed the Timberwolves to capitalize with second-chance points. To win, Los Angeles must improve its fast-break efficiency, which was severely lacking, and find offensive balance, especially from stars like LeBron James, who struggled in the first quarter. The bench's contributions will also be crucial in shifting the momentum of the series.