Lakers Edge Timberwolves 94-85 in Game 2 Defensive Battle/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Luka Doncic scored 31 to lead the Lakers past Minnesota. The Lakers evened their playoff series 1-1 with a 94-85 win. A tenacious defense and early surge defined L.A.’s Game 2 response.
Lakers Even Series Behind Doncic’s Heroics: Quick Looks
- Doncic Dominates: Luka Doncic led the way with 31 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists.
- LeBron’s Leadership Shines: James scored 21 and added a clutch steal in the fourth quarter.
- Reaves, Rui Provide Spark: Austin Reaves added 16 points, while Rui Hachimura battled through facial injuries.
- Lakers Flip the Script: After a Game 1 blowout loss, L.A. answered with defense and energy.
- Timberwolves Struggle Offensively: Minnesota’s fluidity vanished, with Edwards and Randle combining for 52 hard-earned points.
- Physical Game: 46 personal fouls and multiple reviews made for a chippy, tense night in L.A.
- Game 3 Set: The series shifts to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday night.
Lakers Edge Timberwolves 94-85 in Game 2 Defensive Battle
Deep Look
LOS ANGELES — April 23, 2025 — One game after being blown out at home, the Los Angeles Lakers answered with intensity and defense — and Luka Doncic lit up the court to lead them to a series-tying win.
Doncic delivered a near triple-double with 31 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists, powering the Lakers to a 94-85 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 2 of their first-round playoff matchup. The series is now tied at 1-1 heading into Game 3 on Friday in Minneapolis.
“We had to respond,” said LeBron James, who scored 21 points and notched a crucial steal in the fourth quarter. “Game 1 wasn’t who we are. Tonight, we came with focus.”
Early Surge, Defensive Grit
The Lakers opened up with a 22-point first-quarter lead, setting the tone for a gritty, physical contest that featured 46 personal fouls, multiple reviews, and no shortage of face hits — including one that sent Rui Hachimura to the locker room with a bloody nose. The forward returned with a mask but eventually ditched it, saying it hindered his vision.
Coach JJ Redick emphasized defensive urgency after Game 1, and it showed. Los Angeles held the Timberwolves to just 85 points — a far cry from the 117 they dropped in the series opener.
“We flipped the urgency switch,” Redick said. “Even when the offense slowed, the intensity never dipped.”
Timberwolves Lose Rhythm
After clicking offensively in Game 1, Minnesota sputtered under L.A.’s defensive pressure. Julius Randle scored 27 points, and Anthony Edwards added 25, but both faced tight double-teams and crowding in the paint.
“They were collapsing hard,” Edwards said. “As soon as I made a move, there were two or three guys right there. I’ve got to read it quicker.”
Minnesota never got within single digits after the first quarter, despite several late pushes. Their three-point shooting, which netted them 21 makes in Game 1, cooled considerably.
Luka’s Moment
Doncic capitalized on favorable matchups throughout the night, especially when Rudy Gobert switched onto him in isolation. The Lakers exploited those moments with surgical precision.
“Luka had the game in his hands,” James said. “He controlled the pace and made the right plays.”
Even with a late Timberwolves run, the Lakers held firm thanks to disciplined rebounding, key defensive stands, and clock control — something Redick drilled into them during a fiery fourth-quarter timeout.
The Road Ahead
With momentum swinging back to Los Angeles, Game 3 in Minneapolis will be pivotal. Redick called the win “just one step,” but it may prove crucial in a series defined by intensity and physicality.
“We got hit in the mouth Game 1,” said Hachimura, who wore a second mask in the second half. “Game 2, we hit back.”
You must Register or Login to post a comment.