{"id":135873,"date":"2025-04-23T11:45:39","date_gmt":"2025-04-23T15:45:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=135873"},"modified":"2025-04-23T11:48:55","modified_gmt":"2025-04-23T15:48:55","slug":"lakers-luka-doncic-lebron-james-timberwolves","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/04\/23\/lakers-luka-doncic-lebron-james-timberwolves\/","title":{"rendered":"What Lakers Duo Must Do to Bounce Timberwolves"},"content":{"rendered":"

It <\/span>still<\/span> wasn’t their best outing, but the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> did bounce back after a Game 1 blowout to even up their first-round series with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Los Angeles roared out of the gate in Game 2, but Minnesota ran much of the second half but could not close the gap enough to threaten the game. A win is a win, and\u00a0<\/span>Luka Don\u010di\u0107<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>LeBron James<\/span><\/a> guided<\/span> the Lakers to that much-needed win. Of course, the job is not nearly complete, and while it was still a choppy game for the Lakers all around, two games in, Don\u010di\u0107 knows even more about what it will take to overtake the Timberwolves and send them home in the next five games.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What Lakers Duo Must Do to Bounce Timberwolves<\/h2>\n

Los Angeles Lakers Duo Luka Don\u010di\u0107 and LeBron James have conjoined mission in getting past Anthony Edwards’ Timberwolves<\/h3>\n

JJ Redick called for a higher dose of physicality heading into Game 2\u2014an element the Lakers did not produce in Game 1. Redick got what he wanted, and it certainly affected the game in LA’s favor despite the contrast of the first and second halves. There’s no question that Don\u010di\u0107 has stepped up<\/a> offensively in his first two playoff games, scoring a combined 68 points (31 in Game 2), and he seems to be having his way with defenders for the most part. As for James, while he’s been good, he hasn’t been more than that. He’s likely trying to save energy in round one for when he will need it most as the playoffs progress. Or, he’s letting Luka carry more of the load, allowing him to ramp up and get hot. The postseason is long, and the better Luka is, the better the Lakers will be.<\/p>\n

When it comes to<\/span> the duo of LeBron and Luka, scoring and playmaking are only part of what will make them and Los Angeles successful. As it stands with their first-round opponent, Don\u010di\u0107 is more than aware of what he and James must bring to the table to get past\u00a0<\/span>Anthony Edwards<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and co. Following the Game 2 win, Don\u010di\u0107 spoke about that as the Lakers prepare to head to Minnesota<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cObviously, not [to] panic. But it\u2019s me and LeBron. As leaders of the team, we gotta keep the team together. Going into Minnesota, it\u2019s going to be a war. The fans are going to be cheering like crazy. No matter what, we can\u2019t panic. It\u2019s up to me and Bron to keep the team together.”<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

“Me and Bron have to keep the team together. Going into Minnesota is going to be a war.”<\/p>\n

Luka Doncic says the Lakers can\u2019t panic as the series shifts to the Wolves\u2019 home floor \ud83d\udde3\ufe0f<\/p>\n

(via @NBATV<\/a>)pic.twitter.com\/5qPPUF94S1<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 23, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n