Luka Dončić's return to face the Minnesota Timberwolves sparked intrigue, particularly after last year's playoff performance where he averaged 32.4 points. However, despite scoring 37 in Game 1, his new team, the Los Angeles Lakers, faced a blowout loss, highlighting a critical absence of reliable big men. Without Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford, who were pivotal in last year's postseason, the Lakers struggled, particularly in rebounding and assists. Jaxson Hayes couldn't fill the void, playing only eight minutes. The Lakers were outscored in the paint and on second-chance points, as the Timberwolves exploited their lack of a rim protector. This absence forced the Lakers into a predictable offensive strategy, affecting not just Dončić but the overall team dynamics without a strong center to create mismatches.