The steps to follow by Luka Doncic and LeBron James to overcome the Minnesota Timberwolves

The Los Angeles Lakers started the series off poorly, but they have recovered and now tied, yet they are now required to win on the road during this first round of playoffs

Víctor LF | 23 Abr 2025 | 22:00
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Luka Dončić, in a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Luka Dončić, in a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Although it wasn't their best game, Los Angeles Lakers bounced back from the defeat suffered in the first game and leveled the first-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Los Angeles roared in the second game, but Minnesota dominated much of the second half, although they couldn't close the gap enough to threaten the game. A win is a win, and Luka Doncic and LeBron James led the Lakers to that much-needed victory. Of course, the job is far from complete, and although it remained a choppy game for the Lakers overall, two games later, Doncic knows even more about what it takes to overcome the Timberwolves and send them home in the upcoming games. 

JJ Redick called for a higher dose of physicality heading into the second game, an element that the Lakers did not produce in the first. Redick got what he wanted, and it certainly impacted the game in favor of LA despite the contrast in the first and second halves. There is no doubt that Doncic has taken a step forward offensively in his first two playoff games, scoring a combined 68 points (31 in the second game) and seems to be having his way with defenders for the most part. As for James, though he has been solid, he hasn't been more than that. He is probably trying to conserve energy in the first round for when he will need it more as the playoffs progress. Or he is letting Luka carry more of the load, allowing him to accelerate and heat up. The postseason is long, and the better Luka is, the better it will go for the Lakers.

When it comes to the duo of LeBron and Luka, scoring and playmaking is only part of what will make them succeed along with Los Angeles. As things stand with their first-round foe, Doncic is well aware of what he and James need to deliver to overcome Anthony Edwards and company. After the win in the second game, Doncic spoke about it as the Lakers get ready to travel to Minnesota. "Obviously, there's no need to panic. But we're LeBron and me. As team leaders, we have to keep the team together. Going to Minnesota is going to be a war. Fans are going to cheer like crazy. Whatever happens, we can't panic. It's up to me and Bron to keep the team together."

Luka and LeBron, the Lakers' hope

It's going to be a war, Luka has that right. The Timberwolves left Hollywood with the best possible scenario, aside from a two-game lead: a tie. The Target Center will be loud, as was evident in last year's playoffs when Antman led Minnesota to the conference finals. The Lakers, however, are about to enter a territory that tripped them up throughout the regular season: playing on the road.

Despite being one of the best home teams this season, the Lakers were not very good away from the Crypto.com Arena. They stood at 19 wins and 22 losses on the road, yet still managed to grab the third spot in the West. In their visit to the Timberwolves, the Lakers will have to put their road troubles behind and start from scratch. That said, Luka and LeBron know that, not to mention Luka sent Minnesota packing in last year's conference finals, so he knows how to win in that environment.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Los pasos a seguir por Luka Doncic y LeBron James para superar a los Minnesota Timberwolves