The Los Angeles Lakers faced a harsh wake-up call in their playoff opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves, suffering a 117-95 defeat that exposed their struggles with physicality and intensity. Lakers coach JJ Redick acknowledged that his team was not physically prepared for the aggressive style of play the Wolves employed, leading to a significant disparity in scoring during pivotal moments of the game. Minnesota's dominant front line, featuring Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels, controlled the boards and stifled L.A.'s offense, particularly limiting the contributions of stars LeBron James and Austin Reaves.

Luka Doncic tried to set the pace early, but overall, L.A. struggled to find a rhythm. In contrast, the Timberwolves shot impressively from beyond the arc, setting a franchise record with 21 three-pointers. As they head into Game 2, the Lakers know they need to adjust their tactics and embrace a more aggressive approach if they hope to bounce back in the series.