LOS ANGELES — The stage was set for the Lakers to kick off the playoffs in a memorable manner.
Areas near and leading to the Lakers’ locker room were redecorated with purple playoff signage.
Golden T-shirts with the Lakers’ playoff slogan “Unleash Joy” were on every seat for every fan inside Crypto.com Arena – the first time the Lakers have opened a first-round playoff series in Los Angeles since April 2012.
But by the time those same fans got back to their seats shortly after halftime, the Lakers were close to being run out of the gym, eventually falling to the Timberwolves, 117-95, in a Game 1 matchup they trailed by as much as 27.
Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 37 points on 12-of-22 shooting (5 for 10 from 3-point range) and eight rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Lakers from losing home-court advantage to begin the best-of-seven series. Game 2 is Tuesday night.
The sixth-seeded Timberwolves knocked down a franchise playoff-record 21 3-point shots – shooting a blistering 50% from behind the arc – and overwhelmed the third-seeded Lakers with their physical play, shot-making and veteran poise.
Reigning Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid (23 points, five rebounds off the bench) led the Timberwolves with six 3-pointers.
All-NBA guard Anthony Edwards (22 points, nine assists, eight rebounds) shot 4 for 9 from long range, while Jaden McDaniels, who led the Timberwolves with 25 points and nine rebounds, made all three of his attempts from behind the arc.
LeBron James finished with 19 points, five rebounds and three assists, while Austin Reaves had 16 points (5-of-13 shooting), but both of the Lakers’ stars had slow starts.
And the Timberwolves took advantage – not only of James’ and Reaves’ slow starts, but the Lakers regularly left shooters wide open while prioritizing protecting the paint.
The Timberwolves weathered a 16-point first quarter from Doncic, then made 15 3-pointers during the second and third, when they turned what had been a seven-point deficit after one period into an 88-61 lead midway through the third.
The Lakers’ cut their deficit to 12 multiple times, but couldn’t get any closer.
Minnesota, which won for the 18th time in its past 22 games, scored 25 fast-break points and 23 second-chance points.
More to come on this story.